October 2, 2015 Prepare Now to Prevent Street Flooding in Hampton Roads A powerful storm system is moving through Hampton Roads, bringing more rain to already saturated yards, neighborhoods and waterways. With Hurricane Joaquin headed north, it's not likely we'll get a reprieve from the rain until Tuesday    Our region's city and county  Stormwater Management teams are already hard at work clearing ditches and storm drains in an effort to reduce flooding. But what can residents do to secure their homes and help prevent street flooding in their own neighborhoods? Our askHRgreen.org experts recommend taking the following steps when preparing for storms:  Clear Gutters and Ditches Clear away vegetation, litter, tree branches and yard debris from any ditch, channel, storm drain, etc. on your property. This will help the flood waters flow freely into the stormwater system. Secure Loose Items Look around your yard for any items that may fly or float away and move them to a secure location. Loose items that float off into flood waters will worsen flooding by clogging drainage systems and flooding your street or yard. In the event that we receive high winds from Joaquin, loose items also pose a risk as dangerous projectiles that can endanger people and property. Shelter Your Waste/Recycling Containers Secure your trash/recycling containers indoors (i.e. garage, shed, etc.) to prevent trash from entering the stormwater system. If you are unable to secure the containers inside, attempt to weight the bottom of the receptacle and secure the top with a bungee or duct tape. Prepare for Rising Flood Waters If you live in a low-lying area, it's not too early to think about moving important belongings off the ground in flood prone areas of your home or garage. In addition to your personal belongs, move hazardous household chemicals off the ground to prevent them from spilling into flood waters. Examples include motor oil, gasoline and lawn chemicals typically stored in your garage or shed. Tune Into Local Emergency Communications Your city or county will be providing a lot of information regarding city services during the storm. For important updates and news regarding closures, suspension of municipal services, shelter locations or evacuation requirements, please check in with your locality often. To find emergency information where you live, visit Ready Hampton Roads. Check Your Emergency Supplies Make sure you have the following items on hand in the event of prolonged outages of utility services: batteries, bottled water, flashlights/lanterns, easy to prepare meals, ice, activities for the kids, food for the "furry" kids and any medical care items you or your family may require. A battery operated radio is also essential for latest emergency information and updates during the storm. Stormwater debris knows no property lines, so share this information with your neighbors and help them prepare their homes and yards as well. Stay safe Hampton Roads! For more ways to be green in 2015, head over to askHRgreen.org