What a Difference a Sewer Makes: Rains cause Flooding/Fallen Trees in Nayarit

   Tara A. Spears

For those that are first time visitors to a tropical location that has a distinct wet-dry pattern, they do not know how to deal with the onset of the rainy season. (In some parts of the world this intense rain is labeled as the monsoon season.) The thunderstorms are a fascinating phenomenon to watch but the rain does impact mobility. With the arrival of the rainy season, the streets of many towns become a high-risk area for those traveling by car, motorcycle, bicycle, or on foot.

This situation is where the explosion of new building along the coast has a negative effect. The natural order is for the rainfall to come down the mountains and drain into the ocean. With this cycle altered by man taking the lowland and putting up structures, the rain has to go somewhere, so the roads quickly become rivers. Certain areas, such as south Guayabitos and downtown Penita by the Malecon, flood constantly. 

I never appreciated a storm sewer until I moved to Mexico! Another element of the rainy season that contributes to flash flooding is that the majority of hotels and houses lack gutters to divert the rainfall to a more appropriate space, therefore all of this hard surface contributes even more water runoff in addition to the rainfall.

Heavy rains during the last two weeks got the 2025 rainy season off to an exceptional start. The intense rains caused by back-to-back tropical storms caused damage to the main roads in Nayarit, leaving landslides, high water over roads, and traffic accidents in its wake. The weather conditions, combined with deteriorating pavement, litter blocked storm sewers, and a lack of adequate infrastructure, exacerbate the road safety crisis.    

 One of the most serious road incidents occurred on Federal Highway 200, where a landslide caused a landslide and a tree to fall, completely blocking both directions of the Tepic-Puerto Vallarta section highway.

In recent weeks, up to 60 road accidents have been reported in Tepic alone over a weekend, 12 of them directly related to rain. Wet asphalt, mixed with oil and debris, drastically reduces vehicle braking capacity, increasing the likelihood of collisions and run-overs.

Among the main recommendations for this season are: reduce speed, increase distance between vehicles, avoid sudden maneuvers, and avoid crossing flooded streets. For motorcyclists, wearing a certified helmet and ensuring increased visibility are key, but they must also adjust their driving to consider road conditions.

 “Nayarit unfortunately ranks number one in the nation with the highest rate of traffic-related deaths,” said Rodrigo Rosas Osuna, Executive Director of the National Alliance for Road Safety.

Motorcycles have displaced cars as the vehicle with the highest incidence in these types of incidents: six out of ten seriously injured people in the country are motorcycle drivers or passengers. In Jaltemba Bay, this problem is even more acute. There are too many motorcycle fatalities.

Driving through floodwater or torrential rain can be challenging for any driver. Mapfre Auto Insurance shares these navigating tips: Never cross a torrent of water, or forceful stream of water, that has invaded the road you’re driving on unless you can definitely tell how deep it is. (Measuring against a parked car, for example.) There is a very high risk of your vehicle becoming trapped in the water torrent and your vehicle getting dragged away by the current. This is because when the water is located at a height that exceeds the vehicle’s half wheel, it loses grip with respect to the asphalt and becomes very difficult to control.

If the height of the water is higher than half of the wheel, or worse, covers it completely, you must be aware that the vehicle will most likely be carried away by the current.  Wait it out until the water subsides or turn around and go back the way you came. In the vast majority of cases, when this happens, it is not possible to measure the exact depth of the torrent of water and as the vehicle progresses forward, the chances of suffering a serious accident multiply considerably.

Yes, wet weather driving can be hazardous, causing skids, hydroplaning, and slick roads. It can be tough to keep control of your vehicle when roadways are wet, but adjusting your driving helps. As director Rosas Osuna said, “The rainy season increases risks on public roads, affecting both drivers and pedestrians.”  Road safety is a shared responsibility that requires constant attention to environmental conditions and the cautious behavior of all road users.