Crews now working Saturdays, overtime to clear storm debris

Tulsa has no choice but to pay overtime for debris removal following severe storms on July 23rd and 24th.

Crews are hoping the longer hours will help them get a handle on things. Crews are now working ten hours a day, 6 days a week.

City officials say it could be several more weeks before all of the debris is picked up.

Right now, 120 employees are working on debris removal.

Tulsa has about 200 square miles to be cleared.

City officials do have some helpful hints for neighbors:

• Residents should put all greenwaste debris at the curb. It can be cut into sections, stacked, bundled, bagged (clear bags preferred) or dragged or the curb.
• Tree debris should not be mixed with other kinds of debris. If there is housing, roofing or structural debris of any kind mixed in, the greenwaste will not be picked up.
• Regular greenwaste pickup on regular trash days is suspended until the special debris removal service is complete.
• Crews are working from the perimeter of the City inward. The midtown area is expected to take the most time, as it has the most large tree damage.
• Areas marked in green on the debris map are the anticipated areas for clean-up that day. Zones are posted in advance to give residents notice that their area is scheduled for the next day or two, depending on the length of time it takes to service all zones. Please be patient.
• We cannot estimate when we will move into a neighborhood until a day or two ahead of time. The volume of debris in each area determines how quickly we can move through it.Other options for debris removal: Residents are welcome to take their debris to the City's Greenwaste site at 10401 E. 56th St. North, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.