City Of Norman Begins Clearing Tornado Damage, Debris Clearing To Continue For Several Weeks

The City of Norman has started debris cleanup from the tornado that destroyed several homes on Sunday, Feb. 26. Crews contracted by the city expect it will take nearly two months to get cleaned up.

Shawn O’Leary, director of public works, said the town has 12 miles worth of cleanup. The city has asked the tornado victims to place all their debris on the curb for easy access so the trucks can pick up the piles of materials.

O’Leary said this is a nearly $1 million operation, and the program is paid for by the city of Norman’s rainy-day fund.

The cleanup will play out from Monday to Saturday over the next 4 to 6 weeks.

 “We contracted crews out of Austin, Texas, and there are five trucks that are traveling down the paths that were hit by the tornado," O'Leary said. "The trucks pick up the materials curbside, and haul I over to the landfill in Oklahoma City. It has been going great so far."

The city has committed $800,000 to the operation, but city officials said storm recovery can easily cost up to $1 million or more.