Tropical storm leaves coastal damage, federal aid pledged

On October 10, a Category‑2 tropical storm named Aurora made landfall near Puerto Azul, bringing sustained winds of 95 km/h and torrential rain that lasted twelve hours. The storm ripped roof tiles from beachfront inns, flooded low‑lying streets, and knocked out power for more than 3,500 households across the capital and surrounding municipalities. Emergency crews from the Federal Hydro Authority and the Marine Ministry began clearing debris by dawn.

Federal Treasury Minister Marcus Eklund arrived in Puerto Azul on Wednesday to assess damage and announce a ₣5 million aid package for affected businesses. The package includes low‑interest loans for hotel owners, grants for reef‑monitoring equipment, and a temporary boost to the federal tourism‑marketing budget. Governor Solomon Adeyemi praised the swift response, noting that the federal‑regional coordination framework established after the 2024 shipping‑lane inquiry proved essential.

The Costa Mar Reef Monitoring Network reported that eco‑tourism arrivals at the main dive‑cooperative quota station fell to 1,240 visitors in the week following the storm, a 32 percent drop from the same week last year. Hotel occupancy in Puerto Azul’s central district decreased to 58 percent, well below the off‑season average of 71 percent. Officials say the full impact will be clearer once the Federal Statistical Office releases its post‑storm assessment next month.