Tropical Cyclones Losses by Economic Sector in Costa Rica, Central America

Abstract

Tropical cyclones normally affect Central America and Costa Rica. Population growth and inefficient land use planning increases the exposure to natural hazards related to tropical cyclones such as landslides and floods. The Ministry of National Planning and Economic Policy of Costa Rica gathered all the economic impacts by municipality in every economic sector since Hurricane Joan in 1988. Our results indicate that road infrastructure, agriculture, sewerage, and housing were the most affected economic sectors in the last three decades in the country. Normally, the Pacific basin municipalities are the most affected units due to the indirect impact of tropical cyclones in Costa Rica. These results unravel the most affected municipalities and economic sectors by tropical cyclones in the country and is a useful approach that can be applied to other countries and regions affected by these phenomena throughout the tropics.