MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Leaves are cute in the trees, but annoying on the ground. After storms blew through the Mid-South, we’re seeing quite the pile up of leaves and debris around drains and gutters.
It’s a problem that you can’t just leave blowing in the wind. Part of the cleanup relies on residents.
“If the residents don’t get the leaves up, they’ll end up in the inlet sooner or later,” said Kenneth Shaeffer, Shelby County Roads and Bridges Manager.
Crews were clearing leaves from drains in Cordova throughout Monday.
“We’re out getting the leaves out the inlets for the most part because of all the rain we’ve had and all the leaves falling. Everything’s pretty well stopped up. We have to get out there on some days and clean them out,” said Shaeffer.
They went zone by zone and street gutter by street gutter.
“It keeps the drainage system open and flowing like it should. If not, it would back up and cause water to stand in the road. That’s a problem,” said Shaeffer.
That is why it is so important for residents to clean up ahead of time.
“If the residents can pick their leaves up, it helps out a whole lot because the trees are on their property. It’s not coming out in the street, but it ends up in the street with the wind blowing,” said Shaeffer. “We’re strictly looking to make sure the roads are safe and the water doesn’t back up in the roads.”
It’s an effort to prevent future issues by relieving the old.