Clean-up efforts from Ice Storm 2007 still in full swing

Published Dec. 20, 2007
By Brandice J. Armstrong
Tinker Public Affairs

Tinker Air Force Base -- Gary McCracken said Ice Storm 2007 left the worst tree damage he'd ever seen in his 20-year Tinker career.
     Nine days (Dec. 21) after freezing rain coated Tinker's trees with an ice, Mr. McCracken, 72nd Air Base Wing Contract Surveillance Division chief, said clean-up efforts are still in full swing.
     "There are thousands of broken trees limbs, some downed trees, sagging power lines and leaning power poles," Mr. McCracken said. "It's similar to what you would see from a small tornado, however at a much wider scale."
     Mr. McCracken said although the worst damage is in military housing and at the golf course, the military housing maintenance and grounds maintenance contractors have crews cleaning areas all over the base.
     Coordination to clean up the damage began the day after the storm and has continued since. Crews are working eight-hour shifts, five days a week and Mr. McCracken said he suspects cleanup of downed and hanging branches will take weeks; whereas, the process of assessing trees to determine if they can be saved will last through the spring.
     Base personnel have also been asked to assist in the cleanup efforts. Units were asked to help in the same areas they normally work when picking up litter for base appearances.
     Civil engineering purchased small hand saws and canvas gloves to distribute to volunteers.
     "Before you do any work, think safety first," Mr. McCracken said. "We highly encourage volunteers to only remove branches that can be removed from the ground. Do not use a chainsaw unless you are experienced."
     Mr. McCracken said there are three areas - one for base personnel and two for housing residents - designated for tree and vegetation debris. Large debris can be deposited in those areas. There are also three roll-off containers for tree limbs.
     Mr. McCracken said if debris and limbs cannot be brought to the drop-off areas, the debris should be put curbside so a truck and trailer can pick it up and mulch it.
     If neither option is available, trash and small limbs can be bagged and disposed in trash dumpsters. Any trash picked up that blew in with the storm should also be disposed of in the trash dumpsters and not the roll-offs.
     For more information about cleanup and dumpster pick-up, call David Steward at 734-5835 or his cell at 409-4310; Rhonda Balsley at 734-3301. Military housing residents and volunteers may call Kira Inc. at 732-3324.
     For hand pruning saws and gloves call Civil Engineering Services at 734-3301.
     For general inquiries, call Webb Littlejim at 734-5835.

Clean up