CREDIT: Photo by Jeff Kilburg

The city of Batavia is urging residents to help clear out stormwater grates in the wake of the Flash Flood Watch in effect Wednesday and Thursday.

Kane County’s Environmental and Water Resources Division offers these 6 Ways to Reduce or Minimize Flooding in Yards and Basements, but Batavia’s advice could be good old No. 7 and No. 8 — and applicable to any Kane County community.

“As an extra measure residents can make sure that the storm inlets in the curb line of the street near their home are cleared from any debris that may be covering the grates such as leaves and brush. This will help water get into the inlets faster instead of blocking the flow,” the city said in a press release.

“Additionally, if you back up to one of the creeks please make sure any brush near the creek is removed. In flash flood conditions as the water rises and increases flow it may pick up that brush and take it downstream potentially clogging or depositing it at a road culvert, where it inhibits flow. All your assistance in this manner is greatly appreciated.”

Batavia also has arranged for pickup of flood/rain-damaged articles during this week’s normally scheduled waste pickup by Advanced Disposal. No garbage stickers are necessary for those types of items.

For Batavia residents who had a Wednesday pickup and were unable to get all your garbage out, the city still wants to make sure it gets picked up.

“This decision was made at our Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday, June 23, which did not give ample time to notify all residents. In those cases please contact Public Works at (630) 454-2300 to give your address and the city will arrange to have the garbage removed by Friday. If you have any further questions about this service, please call the city at 630-454-2000,” the press release said.

The Flash Flood Watch is now in place from midnight through Thursday afternoon, June 25, 2015.

Weather hazards expected include thunderstorms, the strongest of which may produce:

• Extremely heavy rain and flash flooding.
• Damaging winds in excess of 70 mph.
• Hail the size of quarters.
• Frequent cloud-to-ground lightning.

SOURCES: Batavia press release, National Weather Service