A multimodal debris clearing system, and methods for controlling the same, for an autonomous vehicle. The multimodal debris clearing system includes multiple modes of clearing debris from the path of an autonomous vehicle including, but not limited, the directed application of airflow, a brush to push or sweep away debris, and a magnet to collect debris. The multimodal debris clearing system may include multiple air ducts aligned across the front or near the wheel wells of the autonomous vehicle. The multimodal debris clearing system can be configured to be selectively, and automatically, deployed in response to conditions sensed by the sensors of the autonomous vehicle. The multimodal debris clearing system can deployed in response to the sensors of the autonomous vehicle detecting debris in the path of the autonomous vehicle, the speed of the autonomous vehicle, or a combination thereof.