Seattle Warns of Flooding From Leaves and Rain
Seattle Public Utilities says rain systems this weekend and next week could clog storm drains with fallen leaves and cause roadway flooding.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Forecasts
Live Poll
Have you cleared the leaves from your drains before this week's rain?
A series of rain systems will bring soaking rain to Seattle this weekend and into next week, and Seattle Public Utilities expects roadway flooding and ponding. Fallen leaves and rushing water create hazards on roads, and crews are working around the clock to clear clogged drains.
Why it matters
Clogged storm drains can cause localized flooding and hazardous driving conditions for Seattle residents. Raking leaves now helps prevent larger, costlier clogs later in the season.
Seattle Public Utilities typically receives 10 to 20 calls depending on the rain event, according to the utility. The utility has not released total rainfall figures or the number of drains currently blocked for this series of systems.
The players
Seattle Public Utilities
Seattle Public Utilities is the city utility responsible for drainage, garbage collection, and compost programs serving the city of Seattle.
The details
Seattle Public Utilities says the safest way to clear clogged drains is from the curb, away from rushing water, and recommends clearing street-level drains before leaves enter the pipes. Residents can report clogged storm drains or road flooding directly to the utility.
Timeline
This weekend: a series of rain systems is expected to bring soaking rain to the region.
Next week: continued rounds of soaking rain are expected.
During November: Seattle Public Utilities offers up to 10 bags of free compost.
Seasonal Patterns
Seattle Public Utilities is implementing a new winter weather delay collection model this year that moves from a one-day to a one-week delayed pickup during impactful weather. The storm-season drainage warnings in this story fall within that same winter service window.
Rake leaves from streets and near storm drains and place them in the trash bin, since they are considered contaminated, while yard leaves can go into compost. Clear clogged drains from the curb and away from rushing water, and report clogged storm drains or road flooding to Seattle Public Utilities.
The takeaway
Raking leaves before the rain arrives is the simplest step residents can take to keep storm drains clear. Keeping leaves out of the drains now can prevent harder, more expensive clogs later.
Further reading
For the latest local outlook, see Forecasts for Seattle rain and storm trends.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KOMO.
Live Poll
Have you cleared the leaves from your drains before this week's rain?
