When a tropical system drops several inches of rain over Sanford in a matter of hours, the underground stormwater system must move millions of gallons of water away from neighborhoods. Public Works crews clear main lines year‑round, but a common bottleneck begins at the curb where storm drains can become clogged with yard waste such as grass clippings, leaves and hedge trimmings. When debris is left in the street gutter, the first wave of heavy rain washes it toward the nearest storm drain, where wet grass can mat together over the metal grate and form a dam. This blockage prevents water from entering the underground system, causing it to back up onto the asphalt, flood the street, block traffic and move toward low‑lying driveways and front yards.
Residents can help keep the stormwater network clear by directing mower discharge chutes back toward their own lawns, sweeping or blowing any clippings or leaves that fall on the asphalt back onto the grass, and avoiding the intentional dumping of bags of yard waste, trash or chemical liquids into storm drains. Maintaining clean street gutters during regular lawn maintenance supports the infrastructure’s ability to keep water off streets and away from homes during heavy storms.
Press release issued by City of Sanford:
https://sanfordfl.gov/how-your-lawn-mower-affects-local-street-flooding/
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