There is nothing as alarming, on a dark stormy night, than to witness rain water slowly rising over your front yard. We feel helpless and frightened, and all we can really do is to nervously stand by and pray for the rain to stop. Most of us in Houston have experienced this kind of scenario at some point in our lives. Unfortunately, as soon as the storm is over, we soon forget. But before we cast this experience aside until next time, let’s consider what we might be able to do to alleviate this problem in the future.

Do you ever take the time to look at the debris in your curbs and on your nearest storm drain? Does someone in your household regularly monitor and clean these curbs and drains? If you happen to have an end of the run storm drain in front of your house you will soon learn why clean curbs are an essential flood control component. While one large bag of leaves from your curb does not seem to be so significant, try multiplying that by however many households that you have on your block and just imagine what that will do at the end of the street storm drain. Driving, sustained rains can quickly pack and choke a storm drain with debris, and severely reduce its ability to take on water. Storm drains will not prevent all flooding but they are our only means of moving water out of the streets. Let’s be mindful and neighborly. It doesn’t take that much effort to keep up with this task, for our collective peace of mind.

In summary:

* Nothing should go down a storm drain, except water.
Discourage and stop the sweeping or blowing of leaves, grass clippings, motor oil, etc. into our storm drains. These are City of Houston and environmental agency violations.

* It is the residents’ responsibility to clean the curbs and storm drain grates.

*It is the Clear Lake City Water Authority’s responsibility to clean the inside of the storm drains. If you detect a storm drain in need of maintenance please call (281)-488-1164.