The City of Turlock offers numerous services and programs to help mitigate potential damage due to flooding during the stormy season, however in most cases it is up to property owners to look out for their own best interest.
One the largest contributors to residential street flooding is tree leaves being piled into street gutters, which during a storm can create drain blockages.
“We prefer everyone to put their leaves in the green waste containers and for any leftover leaves we ask resident push the leaves 18 inches from the gutter,” said City of Turlock Parks, Rec and Public Facilities Supervisor Erik Schulze.
The City’s Leaf Pickup Program will collect the leaves piled in the street, but of course during storms sometimes those leaves get pushed by wind into the gutter and end up clogging storm water drains and gutters, which causes flooding.
Schulze says that during storms city workers are “all hands on deck” patrolling for backed up drains and clearing them as needed.
Sandbags can provide temporary flood relief should they be needed. The City provides sandbags free of charge 24 hours a day at 901 S. Walnut Rd. The City leaves a large pallet with sandbags ready for pickup at any time; residents are limited to 10 bags per house.
Another problem during storms are fallen tree limbs and smaller branches, which City workers are also looking out for.
Schulze explained that if the limb is big enough and is in the street residents should call the city to remove it, but smaller branches are the responsibility of the property owner.
Visit the City’s website to determine when the leaf pickup trucks come to your neighborhood.
In an emergency situation always call 911 or contact the City of Turlock’s Municipal Services Department during normal business hours at 209-668-5590.
