City crews in San Jose spent the day inspecting and cleaning thousands of storm drains in preparation for the incoming atmospheric river storm, hoping to prevent the kind of flooding that struck the area after October’s heavy rains.

“We go to every storm drain on the map, check it, make sure it’s clean and free of debris,” said Khourng Yan, a maintenance worker with the San Jose Department of Transportation. “If it’s not, we clear it out.”

The task is enormous — the city has around 35,000 storm drains — and maintenance workers say they often come across surprising items while doing their rounds. “I’ve found bullets, a gun, and even cash — lots of money,” said Eric Wright, another transportation department employee.

In addition to removing debris, crews also look out for obstacles like sandbags that can block drains. “Sometimes we find sandbags sitting on top, so we remove them to make sure the water can flow properly,” Wright explained.

City officials said they are also preparing for potential heavy rainfall by checking storm pumps, increasing staff coverage, and closely monitoring flood-prone areas. Still, they emphasized that residents play a crucial role in keeping neighborhoods safe.

“Keep your property clear — sweep up leaves, clean your front yard, and if yard waste isn’t picked up, put it in the trash instead of leaving it in the street,” advised Colin Heyne with the transportation department.

Officials are urging residents to call 311 immediately if they notice a flooded drain or blocked stormwater inlet.