Hillsborough County is calling on its residents to take action against the risk of flooding, and it starts with something as simple as keeping an eye on storm drains. According to a recent Hillsborough County press release, even a small weather disturbance can cause significant pooling of water, which can then lead to soil erosion, damage to building foundations, and unwelcome pests due to stagnant water.
It's a year-round effort where everyone can play a part – the county suggests residents should clear curbside inlets of leaves and trash, trim trees and shrubbery, and avoid using leaf blowers that push debris into the street, all this in an attempt to prevent blockages before they can lead to bigger headaches and as the county insists, these little acts of diligence can drastically reduce the chances of flood damage in your own backyard, your neighborhood or think about it, the wider community.
When prevention is not enough, reporting becomes key. Hillsborough County has made the process of reporting clogged storm drains user-friendly with their online platform, At Your Service. Residents can file a report 24/7, and in cases where online access might be an issue, the county has not shied away from the traditional approach – offering the alternative to call the Public Works department directly, at (813) 635-5400, and let them know of the problem.
"Proactive steps today can help reduce flooding in your neighborhood and keep Hillsborough County safe and storm-ready," while none of us are eager to wade through the aftermath of a preventable flood, it’s worth considering that a little bit of conscientious civic maintenance could spare us all a great deal of soggy inconvenience.
