City Of Tulsa Details Debris Clean-up Plan

The City of Tulsa responded to the storm Wednesday morning by clearing streets and setting up temporary stop signs at intersections where traffic signals are out.

The first priority for the city was to clear main streets. They've done that and continue to work on residential streets.

All over the city, people are starting to clean up what they can and make plans for the rest.

For Rand Suffolk, that's a big job. He had four large trees fall over, two of them into the neighbor's yard.

"It seems like there's debris everywhere, even people who didn't lose major trees still have a mess to clean up," Suffolk said.

7/24/2013 Related Story: Several Tulsa County Facilities Affected By Storms

The City of Tulsa mobilized overnight to clear streets, starting with those that carry the most traffic. They're already working in neighborhoods, but expect it will take another day at least to clear it all.

Starting next week, the city will pick up and haul off storm debris, as long as it's by the curb.

"Try to place it away from structures, not next to your mailbox, not over a gas meter, those normal things, because it's probably going to be picked up with a grapple that's going to reach in there and get it. So, place it in a clear place, behind the curb, that's easily accessible," said Dan Crossland, with the City of Tulsa.

If able, the city has asked residents to cut tree debris into 4-foot or smaller sections, which could help with speed of collection.

Residents are also asked to keep parked cars away from debris stacked near the curbs so that grappler trucks can access the debris easily.

Tulsans can also take tree and limb debris to the city's greenwaste processing site, 10401 E. 56th St. North, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at no charge.

The city put out four way stop signs at intersections that didn't have power for the traffic signals.

Tulsa's mayor is urging people to check on neighbors without air conditioning.

"Let's think of our neighbors," Mayor Dewey Bartlett said. "The heat is going to be strong, the humidity, so if there's an elderly person next door, someone who needs help, check on them. Let's help them."

7/24/2013 Related Story: Tulsa Firefighter Injured Fighting House Fire Following Storm

The storm that toppled trees on houses and pulled down powerlines briefly overwhelmed the 911 system, and for most of the night and early morning, every on-duty firefighter was out on a call.

"It was just overwhelming. Probably some people called 911 who didn't get through; the system was that backed up, if you will," said Deputy Fire Chief Scott Clark.

There is a cooling center opened by the Red Cross at the Crosstown Church of Christ at 3400 East Admiral Place. It's open Wednesday night until 8 p.m.

Other cooling stations are usually open are also available. They are listed below:

Tulsa County Social Services
2401 Charles Page Blvd., Tulsa, OK
Operational hours: 8:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m., seven days a week

Salvation Army Center of Hope
102 N. Denver Ave., Tulsa, OK
Operational hours: open 24 hours a day, seven days a week

Dennis R. Neill Equality Center
621 E. 4th St.
Tulsa, OK 74120
Operational hours: noon to 9 p.m., seven days a week