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Boston Residents Asked To Clear Storm Drains

BOSTON (CBS) – The recent snow and rain have led to thousands of clogged storm drains, which is causing problems in some basements in Boston.

Officials are asking residents to help out in the battle to clear storm drains, some of which can be found underneath snow banks.

"Yesterday when this warmed up, this was a huge puddle because it couldn't go anywhere, so it just froze right back over again," said homeowner Barbara Beck.

WBZ-TV's Alana Gomez reports.

Beck scraped off her storm drain for the sixth time on Thursday, as the clogged catch basin is sending water straight into her house.

"I'm getting water in my cellar," said Beck.

Boston DPW crews were working their way through the city on Thursday to clear them off, but there are more than 30,000 storm drains, making it tough to find them all before warmer weather hits.

"In the event of more inclement weather, which is in the horizon, we're just hoping that we can clear this up," said Tom Bagley of Boston Sewer and Water.

If the snow and rain can't drain underground, it freezes over streets and sidewalks.

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