Carrasco highlighted that citizen safety is the municipal government's top priority and that it relies on constant prevention. The government team works year-round with planning to ensure the capacity to evacuate rainwater against autumn precipitation.
The initiative, developed by the Infrastructure and Public Services department, includes the maintenance of 14,043 drains across the municipality, with approximately 95 being cleaned daily since August. These drains receive two ordinary cleanings per year, intensified in autumn and winter with preventive reinforcements to avoid blockages from fallen leaves.
The mayor recalled that, in addition to scheduled cleaning, citizen alerts received through the City Maintenance Service (SMC) are addressed. Brigades combine manual techniques, hydro-cleaning, and mechanical suction-impulsion equipment to ensure optimal drainage capacity.
Carrasco pointed out the importance of being prepared and coordinated for the forecast of a rainy autumn, following a dry summer with record temperatures. The goal is to minimize the impact of potential torrential rains on the city.
The city council also has a Specific Preventive Plan for Flood-Prone Areas, which includes the inspection and cleaning of critical points such as the area around the General Hospital, Vicente Sos Baynat and Riu Sec avenues, Racó de la Torreta, the Castàlia neighborhood, Carretera de València, and streets like Magallanes, Torrenostra, Alcossebre, Balerma, or Miquel Santàngel, as well as areas in El Grau and La Marjalleria. Priority attention is also given to key underpasses such as those on Ronda Sud, CV-1540, Camí de la Ratlla d’Almassora, Ronda Oest, Ronda Circumval·lació, the carretera de Borriol and the Sant Marc group, or Avenida del Mar near the TRAM.
Upon any meteorological alert for rain or DANA (isolated depression at high levels), the daily cleaning protocol is immediately activated in all designated flood-prone areas.
Furthermore, cleaning of the Sec Riverbed is underway, resulting from an agreement with the Júcar Hydrographic Confederation (CHX), reinforcing the safety of the urban riverbed. The CHX has been asked to act on cleaning the estuary, which falls under their jurisdiction. All this is part of the Municipal Action Plan for Flood Risk.
Castellón also stands out for its leadership in preventive management in schools, being a pioneer in the Protocol for Flood Risk in educational centers, which sets clear guidelines for action and evacuation to protect students and educational staff.
The City Council is advised by its own meteorological service, which provides information on risks and emergencies, guiding the implementation of anti-flood protocols.
Finally, the Mayor called for citizen collaboration, asking residents not to deposit waste on drain grates and reminding them that neighborhood alerts received through municipal channels are taken into account for planning cleaning work.
