Storm waters close streets, push city drainage to capacity
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EUGENE, Ore. - Flooding closed intersections in Eugene on Monday as rain water strained the capacity of storm drains.
Eugene Public Works has opened its emergency command center to deal with numerous flooding incidents, including two flooded intersections, the City of Eugene said Monday night.
A combination of heavy rain and large amounts of leaves and other debris on city streets has strained Eugene's stormwater collection system.
As of 8:30 p.m., Agate Street is closed at 18th Avenue, and 19th Avenue is closed between Pearl and Willamette streets.
Storm drainage lines are near capacity, particularly those lines that drain directly into Amazon Creek, Public Works crews report.
Motorists are advised to use extreme caution and avoid driving through flooded areas, the city said.
Residents also should use caution if they attempt to remove leaves from clogged catch basins that are causing localized flooding.
With more heavy rain in the forecast tonight, Public Works will continue to deploy staff and equipment do deal with significant flooding problems in the short term and also to continue the fall leaf collection program tomorrow.
To report major flooding, call Public Works Maintenance at (541) 682-4800.
Maybe putting leaves for pickup in bags is not such a bad idea since the pickup is spread out in the middle of heavy rain weather. My neighbor and I were doing this very thing...he had a shovel and I used a metal rake. We cleaned out the two very large drains at the end of our street which was a small pond due to the leaves piled up in the street for pick up...ugh...bagging the leaves is a good solution. I put them in my yard debris pickup container but not everyone has those....use bags for god sake!
 @colorowdy Bags are banned in Eugene. So out of spite, I partake in the put them in the street program. I think people think that they are saving the environment or something.
Maybe when there is threat of lots of rain, they should make their leaf pick-up a bit earlier? It might save on having crews come out on overtime to move leaves that are clogging storm drains. Just a thought.