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Sacramento Prepares For Strong Storm During Heaviest Leaf Drop Of Year

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Neighbors and crews are getting ready for Tuesday's storm during the heaviest leaf drop of the year to head off possible flooding.

After getting 0.58 inches of rain over the weekend in the Sacramento area, the valley and foothills are going to face a soaker with some of the strongest rain in some areas since 2012.

Duane Morgan and many of his neighbors in Land Park spent Monday getting ready for yet another storm.

"We cleaned out our gutters, cleaned off the roof and so we are ready for the next rainfall," he said. "It accumulates and if you don't get them out of here relatively quick, it makes it harder to get them out. And as well as to clean the drains so the water flows where its supposed to flow."

Brent Schultz says the weekend storm packed a punch that knocked plenty of leaves off the trees and onto the ground where they can clog drains.

Davis Urban Forest manager Robert Cain says the leaves that are left can do even more damage.

"The leaves get heavy with the extra water on them so there's a higher potential for limb failures," he said.

Cain recommends putting mulch around drought-stressed trees to make the most of Tuesday's rain.

"The mulch is excellent around the trees because it lowers the competition especially for the new trees from the grass or other shrubs," he said. "It also acts as a blanket that will keep soil moisture in."

And even though neighbors like Morgan say getting his trees and lawn ready for a storm is a lot of work, he doesn't mind the extra chores after such a dry year.

"It's a good thing," he said. "We are happy to have the rain, so I don't complain."

The city says their crews were out all day on Monday and will be out first thing on Tuesday morning to clear leaves from storm drains. But neighbors are encouraged to do their part.

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