Ramapo crews clear storm drains ahead of heavy rain
Samuel Gonzalez and other Highway Department employees visited about a dozen flood-prone locations across the town to clean catch basins in preparation for the incoming storms.
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Ramapo Highway Department workers spent Tuesday clearing storm drains in flood-prone neighborhoods to help reduce the risk of flooding as another round of heavy rain approaches.
Samuel Gonzalez and other Highway Department employees visited about a dozen flood-prone locations across the town to clean catch basins in preparation for the incoming storms.
"We're cleaning out the pipes so it can drain a little easier. Sometimes it has stuff in it. So since it's going to rain really hard, we don't want any floods, so we're trying to prevent the floods," Gonzalez said.
Among the locations serviced Tuesday were Jill Lane and Rita Avenue, where crews used specialized equipment to remove debris from storm drains.
During the cleanup, workers found multiple items, including a detergent container and a water jug, clogging the drainage system.
"So the pressure hose pushes the dirt, or whatever debris it has, and it comes out through to the other side. And we take the machine, and we suck out the rest of the dirt. Or if it's bigger, we grab it by hand," Gonzalez explained.
Crews also went down into drains themselves several times to remove larger debris and ensure the catch basins were clear.
Residents seeking sandbags ahead of the storms can pick them up at the Ramapo Highway Department on Pioneer Avenue, where the town has 500 sandbags available on a first-come, first-served basis.
