The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) cleared drains and culverts in several parts of town following heavy rains that left standing water on roads and near homes. The work focused on restoring rainwater flow through the drainage system, starting in the areas most affected by flooding.
On September 24th, council crews worked in the Escalante area and Boca del Rio. SPTC Operations Manager Alex Ek said workers first attended to locations where flooding had been most severe before moving to other areas. Clearing the drains allowed trapped water to flow more freely and helped reduce standing water along the affected streets.
The work formed part of the council’s ongoing drainage maintenance. Crews had previously cleaned drains in the downtown area, DFC, San Mateo and behind the airstrip. Those efforts were intended to keep existing drainage routes open during periods of heavy rainfall.
Sand, plastic and leaves had been found blocking drains and gutters during earlier cleanups. Such debris can slow rainwater flow and cause it to collect on roads, particularly when rain falls faster than the drains can carry it away. Keeping the drains clear remained an important part of the council’s flood response.
Earlier in the year, the SPTC had also installed culverts and drainpipes in some areas to direct water towards the lagoon. The improvements were intended to reduce flooding and limit damage to roads. Drain cleaning was carried out alongside other council work, including road repairs, maintenance hole repairs and sargassum removal.
The September rainfall highlighted the need for continued attention to drainage as development across the island placed greater demands on existing infrastructure. While clearing blockages helped water move through the system, the council acknowledged that reducing flooding over the long term would also require maintenance, infrastructure improvements and proper management of waterways.
Ek urged residents to help by disposing of garbage properly, so litter does not end up blocking drains. “We are working 24/7 to make and keep our island clean,” he said. “Proper disposal of garbage helps all of us. Let’s all do our part to keep our island clean.”