Cleanup crews in Clay County have made progress clearing debris left by the winter storm that hit the county in late January.
Clay County Highway Commissioner Jason Browning said the west side of the county had more severe debris than the rest of the county. Browning said snapped tree limbs make up most of the debris. Browning said crews have been clearing debris since early February.
“We got two crews going around with machinery, and we are getting it up,” Browning said. “Some roads are getting cleared quicker than others because there is more debris on some of the others, but it’s coming along pretty good.”
Browning said crews have cleaned up most of the debris in the Celina and Pea Ridge areas. Browning said he expects crews to continue working east and expects it will take two months to complete the debris pickup.
“For the most part, we lack the Willow Grove area, Bueckers Landing… we still lack quite a bit,” Browning said.
Clay County EMA Director Kyle Haney said he has been meeting with FEMA to keep them updated on cleanup efforts. Browning said he has had to rent an excavator to help with the pickup. Browning said the hope is that FEMA will cover the expenses for the debris pickup.
“They say they are going to,” Browning said. “We are keeping up, we are documenting everything we do… time, the people, and all of the equipment. That’s the way it usually goes.”
Browning said the county has permits to burn the debris that is picked up during the cleanup efforts.
Browning asked for patience with crews as they are working as fast as they can. Browning said it feels like every road in the county has debris. Browning said it may take some time, but the county will eventually get the remaining debris cleared.
“We tried to start where most of the debris was to get the right-of-ways cleared out a little bit quicker,” Browning said. “But most travel roads, we tried to get those first, and we still have not gotten all of those done. We are working on it, and it is coming along.”