Heavy rains in autumn when leaves are falling can result in street flooding if leaves block storm sewer inlets. With rain storms expected Tuesday night and Wednesday, City Utilities is asking residents to help reduce the likelihood of street flooding by cleaning leaves off street drains.

Residents can protect their neighborhoods and homes from flooding by raking leaves off storm inlets before the rain begins to fall. If streets do flood later tonight or tomorrow, residents may be able to reduce standing water by removing wet leaves that have accumulated in street gutters and have caused inlets to become blocked.

Residents are reminded that when raking leaves for the City’s annual fall leaf collection, leaves should be piled in the park strip between the curb and sidewalk. Where no park strip exists, leaves should be piled on the lawn in back of the curb – never in the street. Residents who prefer to bag their leaves may call 311 to have bagged leaves collected within two business days.