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Leaf Piles Beware: The Claw Is Patrolling The Streets Of Sacramento Through January

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — The fall rain mixing will millions of leaves covering the streets of Sacramento can mean a lot of slipping and sliding for drivers, which is why The Claw was on the prowl.

Sacramento city crews are really excited about the rain, but now they're concerned fallen foliage could be clogging drains.

Like a prehistoric dinosaur chewing up branches, The Claw was unleashed on unsuspecting plant debris in gutters that could cause flooding.

Most neighbors put yard waste in containers that are collected weekly, but through January, people can legally place extra piles in the street for The Claw to grab.

But Erin Treadwell with the City of Sacramento has a request: "Leave some space for the water to move through the gutters to the drains."

It should also be vegetation only, as The Claw detests pet waste and plastic bags. But an evergreen Christmas tree will be fine after the holidays.

The Claw is on a rotating schedule and typically visits each neighborhood every couple of weeks, but between pickups, the city is asking neighbors to do their part to avoid street flooding.

Sacramento city crews say if you live in front of a drain, make sure you clear out all the leaves.

"And if you do find street flooding that is not leaf-related call 311 immediately and there are city crews that can respond to that type of flooding," Treadwell said.

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