By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News

With the area receiving a lot of rainfall in recent days, local officials are offering tips to help ensure safe motor vehicle travel.

According to Illinois American Water, 1.8 inches of rain fell in Pontiac from 7 a.m. Monday to 7 a.m. Tuesday and the Vermilion River is still below the action stage of 13 feet.

Chris Brock, superintendent of streets and alleys for the City of Pontiac, gave some tips to help lower the possibility of street flooding during the spring rains.

“If folks see that (inlets and storm drains) plugged up, break it up at the inlet if they could. That just helps the water get off the roadways faster,” Brock said.

If you or anyone else needs help clearing the street gutters, Brock says to call the Pontiac City Garage at 844-5025.