Spring has sprung and Summer is not too far behind it here in Kansas City, which means rain and storms are on the way. As the metro enters into the wettest months of the year, it is important to know how to protect yourself from sudden storms and the flash flooding that comes with it.
Kansas City has an ever-flowing network of more than 700-hundred miles of streams and rivers flowing throughout the region. Due to such a vast network, flooding poses a real and significant threat to metro area communities. KC Water continues to do mitigation work, such as separating the cities’ remaining combined sewers and implementing green infrastructure solutions to improve natural stormwater management, to aid in reducing flooding however there are measures that our residents can take to protect their properties and valuables. One of these measures is to keep your yard waste (e.g., grass clippings, leaves) away from streets, gutters, catch basins, and roadside ditches. Yard waste, when left in yards, can get washed away into stormwater drainage systems (e.g., stormwater pipes and inlets) causing clogging downstream resulting in localized flooding. Another measure is for residents who live on the properties with roadside ditches. You want to make sure the ditch is clear and the culvert under your driveway is open., this will also aid in the continual flow of water during rain events.
It takes a team to property keep stormwater systems clear, so KC Water encourages you to talk to your neighbors and help them understand the importance of these actions. Your efforts will go a long way in helping eliminate one of the many sources of flooding.
Let’s all work together to make the Kansas City safer for our residents and drivers.
For more flood safety tips, check the links below:
