MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- After a summer of heavy rain, the City of Milwaukee is changing how it handles leaf collection and storm preparation.

City leaders say they don't want to wait for the next round of street flooding to react. They say one of the biggest ways to limit flooding is also one of the simplest -- it's as easy as making sure storm drains aren't clogged.  

CBS 58

Milwaukee's Department of Public Works (DPW) says leaves and trash clogged storm drains on several streets, making it harder for rainwater to drain.

In Milwaukee, more than 100 locations have been identified as flooding hotspots. One of those hotspots is 20th and Capitol. 

City engineers say in the next 90 days, DPW will create a plan where crews prioritize cleaning storm basins in known hotspots before a storm. And with fall here, leaves are another big part of the equation. 

Officials say residents can help by keeping leaves out of storm drains. 

“We have to stop littering in the right of way, that does impact infrastructure. So you know, the instances that occurred on 20th and Capitol on Sept. 3, we had crews out there, six individuals raking out debris out of the right of way," said Jerrel Kruschke, commissioner of Public Works. 

Residents are asked to rake leaves into the street, leaving space between the pile and the curb, and not to use plastic bags.