Fall is here! Trees will begin dropping leaves over the coming months, which can clog storm drains and cause flooding. Do your part by removing debris and leaves from your gutters, and sweep away leaves that are on or near storm drains prior to rainfall to ensure water can quickly flow into the storm drain system. Be sure to remove damaged or weak tree branches to minimize risk of them falling over in the wind. And be sure to also clean you roof gutters of debris that will cause them to overflow and maybe even collapse. But when cleaning your gutters, be especially careful on ladders or on the roof so you don’t fall. And don’t use pesticides before a rain, or they can get washed away and do no good and also pollute the nearby streams. It is also good to check your fences to be sure they are sturdy and won’t get blown over in a wind. Finally, consider having some emergency supplies on hand in case of a power outage – flashlights with fresh batteries, and emergency radio, extra food and water, etc. While it is unlikely you will need these things, it is better to be prepared. You can always use them later.