CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As leaves change colors and fall to the ground, they tend to clog storm drains. With rain in the Charlotte forecast later this week, clearing leaves from the storm drains can help prevent street flooding this fall.
The city of Charlotte is known for its tree canopy and residents over the next month will have leaves falling. With some 200,000 trees and 100,000 storm drains along roadways in Charlotte, falling leaves can easily clog storm drains and cause flooding. In addition to leaves clogging drains at the street level, creeks also flow slower as water slowly sweeps through the leaves creekside. This too can cause water to back up on the streets.
The month of November is the worst time for storm drains as most leaves typically fall during this single-month period in Charlotte. Anticipating this, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services has started a campaign to remind residents to clear storm drains.
In November, the average monthly wind speed is 6.6 mph and the average rainfall for the month is typically more than three inches. A combination of wet and windy conditions will blow leaves into the street and water will carry them to the storm drains.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services said everyone can help prevent road flooding in their neighborhood:
- Check storm drains about three times this fall
- Clean the drain safely from the grassy side and not from within the street
- Use a rake and gloves to bag the leaves
- In Charlotte, call 311 for clogged drains on main roads with busy traffic
Contact KJ Jacobs at kjacobs3@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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