Sometimes the arroyos become so strong that they lift up cars and pull people along with them!
When it rains, classes and work are often canceled because it´s dangerous for people to leave their houses. People have to stay inside to stay safe. When they must go outside, many people build little bridges out of wood to help pedestrians cross the arroyos safely. The helpers expect a tip, a few pesos, after helping you across the water.
One other effort that Barranquilla is currently making is starting a citywide initiative to build storm drains on all of the major city streets. This is a very big project and will take the city years to complete. The streets must close and then, construction workers will deep holes dug for the sewers and canalizando (construction). Everyone in Barranquilla knows that it will be worth it once the sewers are in place and the arroyos can´t hurt people anymore.
