Google Street View can help locate snow-covered catch basins

With lots of rain in store for Toronto and the potential for flooding, city officials are urging residents to help clear catch basins on their streets.

The city says it is deploying extra crews to clear catch basins to help prevent flooding. The focus is on known problem areas, as well as spots around bus stops, crosswalks and key intersections.

Residents are being asked to help clear ice and snow from catch basins in front of their homes so water can get to the storm sewer.

But if the sewers are covered with snow, you can find them using Google Street View.

Here’s how:
•    Go to maps.google.ca.
•    Enter your address in the search engine.
•    Drag the yellow male icon to the street on the map.
•    Look for the square grates on the road in the image.

Residents are also asked to call 311 to report any flooding.

During extreme weather, the city says it may be inundated with calls and they will be answered by the first available agent. The service is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.