RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR)--Those once pretty leaves that adorned trees can become a hazard at this time of year, now that most of them have fallen.
When the rains come, as predicted Tuesday and Wednesday, leaves that hit the pavement will become slick and cars can find it hard to stop when they run over them.
"It's very dangerous because you slide when you come to a stop, so with the bad weather coming, we need to have them up," James Draper, Jr. said, who was watching as Richmond crews cleaned his street.
A second problem is with the amount of rain expected here--coupled with the amount of fallen leaves-- in Central Virginia, means the storm drainage can quickly clog up and water will"pond" on the road.
While it's impossible to pick up all the leaves that have fallen, a quick check of your tires can protect your family, along with precaution on the road.
"One of the main things you can do is make sure you got the right tread depth on your tires, and you can just take a penny, if you don't have a tread gauge, put it upside down and if Lincoln's head is above where your tire tread is, then you've got a problem and you need some new tires," Wes Tatum, with Leete Tire & Auto, said.
Also, allow more stopping room between you and other cars.
Both Richmond and Colonial Heights had crews out, not only picking up leaves but checking storm drains in anticipation of the storm.
