Portland, the rain has arrived by the bucketful.
It’s coming down at the same time as the leaves. And the combo means puddles at the end of street corners that can grow to resemble small lakes.
To solve this problem, the city pleads for help each fall. Their ask? “Adopt a storm drain near you and help keep them clear of debris.”
The city has more than 58,000 storm drains and can’t get to all of them in a timely way.
Watch out for the miniature lakes forming on the street corners! (Rachel Monahan/City Cast Portland)
Watch out for the miniature lakes forming on the street corners! (Rachel Monahan/City Cast Portland)
The advice:
- Safety first. The city recommends staying on the sidewalk, wearing gloves (and not using your hands), and even putting on a reflector vest. (It’s not clear what the city advises for the vast stretches of neighborhoods with no sidewalks.)
- Rakes, shovels, and brooms are advised for clearing. The debris should be cleared for 10 feet around drains.
- Don’t lift the grates or try to clear below them. Instead, report all drains that can’t be easily unclogged to 503-823-1700.
A thank you to everyone who does this work already. (And no, I have no idea what to do when there’s no drain at the corner, but a puddle instead. Suggestions are welcome.)
