La Paz Civil Protection handles 39 storm reports across nine neighborhoods

La Paz's Municipal Civil Protection office handled 39 reports of rain-related damage, mainly fallen or at-risk trees, poles and wiring, the city said on August 18. Response and inspection rounds continue across the city.

The reports were concentrated in the Indeco, Villas de Santa Maria, La Fuente, Los Olivos, Pueblo Nuevo, Puesta del Sol, Villas del Encanto, Progreso Vivah and Paraiso del Sol neighborhoods. At the Vaquero ford, one of the spots that regularly pools water, crews carried out desilting work.

The municipal office worked alongside the General Directorate of Public Services and CFE, to which cases involving wiring and poles were referred.

"He issued a preventive call to residents," said Francisco Cervantes Navarro, head of the office, who asked people not to let their guard down even though the rains have been intermittent.

Official recommendations include pruning trees near homes, securing objects the wind could move, and clearing drains and storm sewers to prevent flooding. These simple steps head off most of the reports crews respond to.

Emergencies can be reported to 911 or through the App La Paz, which lets users send an exact location and a photo of the hazard. Keeping the number and the app handy speeds up the response when a tree or cable falls into the street.

La Paz is in the most active stretch of the rain and cyclone season, which in Baja California Sur runs from June to November, so it is worth checking roofs, rooftops and downspouts before each system.