Pick up Leaves Now for Easy Flood Prevention

Nothing quite says "fall" like the underfoot crunch of dry leaves on a crisp fall day. And nothing quite says "winter" like the heavy, slippery mats they become once the rain hits. Get a jump on the weather and pick those leaves up now.

City staff would like to remind residents that fallen leaves are one of the biggest causes of street flooding, and one of the easiest to prevent. To help prevent neighborhood flooding problems, here are several suggestions and services for residents to properly dispose of leaves. 

What to do with leaves:

• Use leaves as compost in your garden.
• Use leaves to protect plant roots from winter temperatures (a layer of mulch on top keeps the area looking tidy).
• City of Tacoma residents can place leaves in their brown compost container for pickup. Call (253) 591-5543 to add this service.
• Take leaves and yard waste to the Tacoma Landfill, 3510 South Mullen St. (No additional fee for City of Tacoma solid waste customers.)

What to do about a clogged storm drain causing street flooding:

• Use a rake, broom or stick to try to clear the blockage.
• Do not wade into large puddles of water.
• If you cannot clear the blockage, or you see a storm drain that is not working properly, please report flooding problems to (253) 591-5585.

City of Tacoma surface water crews do their best to keep Tacoma’s 22,000-plus storm drains working. However, property owners play a large role and are responsible for properly disposing of leaves, including leaves from trees in the right of way between the sidewalk and the street. Please do not blow or rake leaves into the street or alley. The City does not have a leaf pickup service and these piles of leaves can cause flooding.

For more information, visit cityoftacoma.org/flood or call (253) 591-5585.