Tulsa Mayor Tours Last Week's Storm Damage

By Chris Wright and Tara Vreeland, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett got a firsthand look Sunday afternoon at the mess left over from last week's storms.

Mayor Bartlett and other officials toured areas of Midtown that were hit hard on Thursday.

A huge tree was suddenly uprooted when the violent system rolled through near 51st and Toledo. It landed on its owner's house, and stayed there for three days until volunteers from Guts Church showed up Sunday afternoon.

"When the city calls us, we want to respond. We love Tulsa. That's why we're here," said Pastor Bill Scheer, Guts Church.

Church members worked on taking down the tree, while others members of Team Relief tended to limbs in nearby yards.

"This is a good example of what one phone call can do to one of our local churches," said Bartlett.

Bartlett was also on hand to survey the damage. He says efforts like Sunday's will make a big difference as Tulsans continue to cleanup.

"Asking the City of Tulsa, come together; let's help out our citizens, our friends. When they called and asked for some help, this is what can happen," said Bartlett.

Bartlett also points out that volunteering is not only impressive, it's essential. That's because the city simply can't afford to pick up everyone's limbs.

"It can get pretty sizeable. A lot of overtime is necessary, and the city is out of overtime," said Bartlett.

Volunteers didn't mind saving the city some cash. Some were even hesitant to call their contributions work.

"You look around, there's nobody unhappy. They're looking for another job and they're looking for more to do, and they're teaming up. You give fellows chainsaws, they're going to have a good time," said Scheer.

Besides putting it on the curb, people can also drop off their storm debris at the city's Green Waste Facility on 56th Street North.

5/15/2010  Related Story: Storm Debris Clean-up Efforts Continue In Tulsa Area Neighborhoods