You can help Seattle Public Utilities reduce ponding and flooding. Windy, rainy weather is here and so are our fall leaves.
Unfortunately, leaves clog storm drains and cause flooding on rainy days. You can help reduce flooding in your neighborhood by raking leaves before they reach street and by safely clearing leaves and other debris from storm drains. If you can’t safely clear the drain, please report it using the City of Seattle’s Find It, Fix It app.
Learn more about storm drain care from our crews:
To support leaf free drains, SPU household food and yard waste customers can set out up to 10 extra bags of leaves each collection day in November for no additional charge. Please put extra yard waste (no food) into a paper or certified compostable lawn and leaf bag (not plastic) or a personal reusable container with a lid.
Please stay safe when clearing leaves and other debris from storm drains:
- Wear gloves and use tools – not your hands!
- Work from the sidewalk or curb. Stay safe by staying out of the street.
- Practice proper disposal. Normally, raked leaves go in your yard waste or are used as mulch. But leaves from the storm drain go in the garbage due to pollution and contamination.
Rainy Day Ready
As the weather changes, Seattle Public Utilities wants everyone to be weather ready:
- Signing up for Alert Seattle
AlertSeattle is the City of Seattle’s official emergency alert system. Sign-up to receive texts, email, and/or phone alerts about all kinds of emergencies in Seattle. - Practicing storm drain care
Leaves and debris on storm drains can cause flooding. Watch this short video to learn how to clear a drain at SPU’s Storm Drain Care page. - Preparing for emergencies
Learn more about flood safety in Seattle and how to be prepared for emergencies. - Knowing who to call for help
Always call 911 for life and safety emergencies. Call our 24/7 Operations Response Center at (206) 386-1800 for urgent drainage, wastewater and drinking water issues.
Let’s be rainy day ready together!