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There is still a long way to go before cleanup is complete
Six weeks have passed since a winter storm ran through central Oklahoma, and the lengthy cleanup process is continuing.
The City of Edmond began sweeping through residential areas to collect fallen limbs and debris Nov. 9. Crews began their work at the western city limits and have been pushing east. Once crews finish their sweep through the city and reach the eastern city limits, the plan is to return to the west side and start a second round.
City public information officer Casey Moore said this process will continue for several more weeks.
“It’s going to take quite a while just because of the volume of debris out there,” Moore said. “The volume of storm debris for this storm is higher than any that we’ve ever had before.”
As of Dec. 7, the first round has reached Broadway, with most areas east of it finished or nearly finished according to a map on the City of Edmond Emergency Management website. Between Covell Road and 15th St., crews have begun work as far as Bryant Ave.
From Nov. 4 to Nov. 25, residents had the option to drop off their debris at Hafer Park if they did not want to wait for crews to reach them. Moore said the city received just under 7,500 vehicles worth of debris.
Moore said it is difficult to predict when cleanup will be completed.
“It’s really hard to tell at this point,” Moore said. “Because we don’t know who has gone and used the dump site or has paid to have their stuff taken away. There’s going to be some areas that are going to go pretty slow, though, I know for a fact, just because of the volume.”
The city has asked residents to cut all limbs to 6 feet or shorter. Residents can further expedite the cleanup process by ensuring debris is not stacked on or near mailboxes, water or gas meters or anything similar. Residents are also asked not to park in front of debris.
“We really appreciate everyone’s patience, and we’re going to send people through until it’s all picked up,” Moore said.
Residents who have questions about the ongoing cleanup process can call the public works department at (405) 216-7770.