Green Country Homeowners Hurry To Clear Debris Before More Severe Weather

With all of the downed trees and limbs, it's taking a lot of time to clean up after Tuesday night's storm.

It's hot, tiring work, especially for those still without electricity.

Many people are working hard to remove debris caused by that intense storm, and they want to do it fast, because of the possibility of more severe weather for Thursday night and Friday morning.

For hour after hour, in uncomfortable summertime weather, it seems everyone was sawing, chipping and working their way toward recovery Thursday.

"Lot of work, lot of work for us," said Casey Holcomb, with Action Tree Service.

Tree crews are putting in long hours, trying to get downed limbs off of places they shouldn't be.

"Shoot, I've seen some in swimming pools, I mean, there are trees all over the place," said Travis Dean, also with Action Tree Service.

7/24/2013 Related Story: City Of Tulsa Details Debris Clean-up Plan

"That's Mother Nature for you, she'll do what she wants," Holcomb said.

Tulsa city crews will begin curbside pickup of debris Monday, focusing on the outside perimeter of the city and working in toward the center.

People are asked to bundle branches in four-foot sections and leave in by the curb in a clear area.

For those not wanting to wait, there's the city's greenwaste site on 56th Street North, west of Highway 169. Hundreds of hundreds of truck and trailer loads have been steadily pulling in, as people dump debris.

"I made the big mistake of buying a house with three big oaks in [the yard] and so I'm paying for it," said Tulsa resident Carl Cox.

One right after the other, storm victims kept coming. Cox said he'd never seen it so busy at the greenwaste site. So, people opting to drop off their own debris, should give themselves plenty of time.

Chuck Murdoch was on his fourth truckload of limbs, but he said it was, thankfully, his last.

"This is it," Murdoch said. "I'm relieved and I'm thanking God and Tylenols, too."

In addition to Tulsa, a number of other communities hit hard by that severe storm have special debris removal plans in place or have extended hours at their dump sites.

Next week, Owasso residents can call Public Works to have their tree debris picked up curbside. That number is (918) 272-4959. Residents will be required to transport the tree debris to the curbside in pieces no larger than 8' feet in length. Only tree debris at the curbside will be collected.

In addition, the City of Owasso yardwaste disposal area has extended operation hours through Friday of this week to 7:00 p.m. With the continued high volume of use, the yardwaste disposal area will be open Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

In Broken Arrow, the city is currently picking up limbs and debris from the recent storm. Steve Arant, Director of the Streets and Stormwater Division for the City of Broken Arrow anticipates the special pick-up will be in effect for the next three weeks.

Citizens needing storm debris removal can call the City of Broken Arrow's Action Center at (918) 259-8373.

Sand Springs residents who receive City of Sand Springs trash collection can take advantage of a special "Chipper Day" this Saturday. Tree limbs can be disposed of at the city's Street Division facility at 8620 West 21st Street, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Although Sand Springs is not offering curbside pick-up of tree debris, you can bundle tree limbs and place them next to your trash polycart for regular collection. Bundles cannot exceed four feet in length and 25 pounds in weight. All bundles must be tied. Residents can place up to eight bags or bundles with their trash each with week without an additional charge.

People living inside the city limits of Skiatook can drop off debris at the city’s brush dump. It is usually open on Saturdays, but will be open Friday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. That located at 2880 West 133rd Street North.