Will It Rain in Panama in November? (Yup...)
By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - I had more than 1,000 emails waiting for me when I got back from Florida. This was one of them - "Hi there. I was just reading the article on visiting Panama in November as my husband and I, together with a few others are considering a trip there in November for a couple of weeks. We are interested in walking, sight seeing and relaxing in the sun. I’m concerned because November being the rainy season if it would be disappointing for us to do the things we’d like to do. How long does it rain during each day and what time in the day does it usually rain? I appreciate hearing back from you. Glenda Wilkins" November? Bring a snorkel. November is the rainiest month of the year. If you want dry, shoot for January, February, and March.
Copyright 2010 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.






Nine families were affected by the flooding of the creek Guayabal, while in Gatuncillo Norte there were landslides in the province of Colon. A SINAPROC spokesmen said eight houses were partially damaged, and one was completely destroyed. The SINAPROC is on alert because more rains are expected. (TVN Noticias)
The phenomenon of La Niña will impact Panama in the next few months, and more intense rainfall is expected, said yesterday the Director of the National Civil Protection System (SINAPROC) Arturo Alvarado. The official urged the population who live in areas vulnerable or prone to flooding to prepare and to stay away from these places. As for the rains that have occurred in the last days, mainly in the province of Chiriquí, he said that these rains have been influenced by a very wide wave generated by hurricane Alex. According to Alvarado, the forecast for the Caribbean is alarming because they expect between 18 to 24 storms, of those 7 to 10 could develop into hurricanes, and from 3 to 5 could develop into very strong Category 5 hurricanes, a situation that could negatively impact Panama. (La Critica)
According to numbers released by the National Civil Protection System, at least 225 families were affected by localized flooding caused by heavy rains that fell over the weekend. Hardest hit were families living in the areas close to the Tataré river who live in the area of Sector 3, El Pantanal, Belén and Nueva Esperanza in Pacora. The area to the East of Panama City was hit by heavy rains that started early Saturday and continued through Sunday morning. The streams overflowed flooding streets, bridges and even residences. In some areas the water was up to two meters deep. Relief efforts including the delivery of food, assistance, and mattresses was coordinated through the SINAPROC Emergency Operations Center. The residents expressed their frustration because 21 years ago when they moved into the area they never had these kinds of problems, but due to the construction of a new neighborhood on land near the Tatar river may have caused it to overflow. About 100 SINAPROC volunteers worked to help provide relief to those affected by the flooding. (La Critica)
Heavy rains in the province of Bocas del Toro caused damages in several areas, particularly in the community of Almirante. Several families were evacuated, and a team of rescue personnel from the National Civil Protection System (SINAPROC) had to make some rescues. Early reports from the area show more than 600 homes have been affected by the flooding. Several streams and rivers have overflowed their banks due to heavy rains, especially the Teribe River, and authorities had to close the intake for the water purification plant, so communities in the area have had no running water for the past 16 hours. (Telemetro)
