With warmer temperatures and rain predicted later this week, Seattle Public Utilities is asking residents to keep their local street drains clear of snow and debris.
Melting snow can overwhelm storm drains by filling them with ice, leaves and accumulated street debris, and result in localized flooding. In Seattle, there are about 80,000 storm drains — far more than city crews can clear quickly.
Safely adopting a local storm drain or drainage ditch — that means staying out of the road — by keeping it clear of leaves, snow and other debris is the single most important thing that residents, businesses can do to protect their property.
For a comprehensive list of things you can do to prepare for severe winter weather go to www.TakeWinterByStorm.org.