Expanded debris collection begins in SE OKC following tornadoes

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Debris collection is underway in southeast Oklahoma City after two tornadoes touched down earlier this month.

The Oklahoma City Utilities Department expanded the type of storm debris the City will collect and News 4 helped push that along.

At first, only tree limbs and vegetation were going to be collected, but now the City has expanded to all storm debris.

"That's things like construction materials, bricks, rebar, lumber," said Jasmine Morris, OKC Utilities Department.

Homeowners are relieved with the expanded guidelines.

"Because that was going to be another thing I was going to have to contract out to somebody to come pick up, so that's a good thing," said Darrell Bigbee.

Another homeowner says that was the right thing for the City to do.

"A lot of people around here already going through enough, let alone worrying about having to haul off their belongings, you know, that got ruined," said Ryan Bertsch.

As of noon on Monday, 30 tons of debris were already collected.

"We expect to collect around 3,000 just from this designated area, so that gives you an idea of how long this is going to take," said Morris.

The first round is expected to be completed by the end of the first week of December.

The second round is expected to be completed by early January.

Homeowners say this is a step on the right direction to getting back to normal.

"The sooner the better, the sooner we can drive through the neighborhood and not look like a frickin disaster, I think the faster we can all just move on with ourselves," said Bertsch.

The City says the only items they can't pick up are hazardous materials, such as pool chemicals, motor oil, gasoline, antifreeze and pesticides.

Those can be disposed of through the City’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center located at 1621 S Portland Ave.

Appliances that contain freon, such as refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners also cannot be collected as part of the special storm debris collection.

For crews to collect these types of items, customers are asked to call Utilities Customer Service at (405) 297-2833.

For more information on collection plans, click here.