Like many residents, Chapala  emergency crews and city government employees have spent long hours mopping up after the rash of heavy rainstorms that pounded the Lake Chapala area throughout the week.

A work crew cleans up after a giant rubber tree tumbled onto Chapala’s central plaza Tuesday. The tree knocked down power lines and smashed street lamps and park benches. Photo by D. Palfrey.

The pouring rain left a number of local roadways under deep water and littered with rocks and debris, with the most severe problems hitting vulnerable areas in Riberas del Pilar and San Antonio Tlayacapan.

As steady rains increase ground saturation and boost the flow of run-off in gulches and creek beds, residents and motorists should be on the alert for the growing possibility of falling rocks, landslides and flash floods occurring throughout the area. Homes and thoroughfares most at risk are those located on or below steep hillsides or bordering natural water channels.