10/16/2021 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/15/2021 21:21
What you need to know:
This time of year, it's everyone's responsibility to help clear fallen leaves to prevent the sidewalk from being a slipping risk when it gets wet or becomes frozen.
Clearing away leaves keeps the sidewalk safe and accessible so that everyone can travel, particularly people who have accessibility needs or have a harder time getting around. It's not only the neighborly thing to do - it's also the law. The area between your curb and property line, including sidewalks, planting strip areas, and vegetation, is your responsibility to maintain.
Don't forget about unblocking clogged gutters! If a drain is blocked and rainwater water can't properly drain, the area that people walking and rolling use, particularly at the bottom of curb ramps, can become flooded. This makes the curb ramp difficult or impossible for manual wheelchairs to use. So please remember, when you're clearing leaves, please make sure that they don't end up in the gutter. It's best to put leaves in your green food and yard bins.
For more information on how, when, and where to rake your leaves and clean up your property, check out this SDOT blog post.
Even though winter is still a couple months away, it's important to get ready now for these snow and icy winter weather conditions before they arrive.
As we've noted, winter in Seattle can bring heavy rain, high winds, ice, and snow (remember the big snowstorm last winter?). We prepare for the snow year-round. We work to keep the roads clear of everything from fallen trees and branches to snow and ice, fix potholes so that the roads are smooth, and repair signs and signals throughout the City.
We also monitor conditions to make sure that you stay safe when winter storms are approaching. Our crews are ready to go to work when high winds, heavy rain, or snow and ice are in the forecast! We also make sure that our supplies of salt and liquid anti-icer are stocked and ready to deploy.
We're getting ready, and so should you! Here's what you can do to prepare - and be ahead of the game - before the storms hit:
Here is a friendly safety reminder from Seattle Parks and Recreation:
"In the event of a heavy storm, especially those with strong gusts of wind, please stay out of heavily wooded areas."
-Seattle Parks and Recreation
Here are a few "Tree Tips" from Seattle City Light:
With most of the leaves fallen, now is a great time to examine the structure of your trees. Here are a few tips of what to watch out for:
If your trees could cause safety problems with power lines, contact Seattle City Light Vegetation Management online seattle.gov/city-light/in-the-community/vegetation-management or call (206) 386-1733 to have your concerns assessed. Once you know your trees are safe, you can enjoy their outlines against our beautiful winter sunsets!
Visit seattle.gov/transportation/winterweather for more tips and information on winter weather. Additional resources and information about the City's overall winter storm response is also available at seattle.gov/winterweather.
Thank you for your interest and efforts to help us get ready this year - everyone working together to prepare makes a huge difference to improving safety and mobility during these rare, but significant, winter storm events.