Storm Debris pickup will run into September, leading into another citywide cleanup operation

Annual Fall Residential Cleanup begins September 26

The pace of debris collection operations is expected to quicken this week and next as the hardest-hit areas of the July 4th wind storm have now been serviced. Six weeks into operations, approximately 75,000 cubic yards of debris have been collected from Norman residences and more than $1.5 million has been spent on cleanup efforts.

"We appreciate the patience and understanding of the community as crews continue 10-hour shifts, seven days a week to take care of all of our neighbors," said Scott Sturtz, Director of Public Works. "This storm was unique in that there was no defined swath impacted. While we have seen the most damage in West Norman, every ward was touched in some way."

This has made cleanup efforts quite the challenge, Sturtz said, with Norman stretching more than 185 sq. miles and being the 50th largest City in land mass nationwide. There are also hurdles in trying to accommodate the schedules of residents, as some damage has required massive cutting and hauling from backyard to front yard - sometimes a multi-weekend project.

"We have folks that want it cleared the day after the storm and then we have folks that call and ask if we will still be around in few weeks when they can get to it," Sturtz said. "We want to ensure all of our residents are serviced and we're trying to do it as efficiently as possible."

Nine grapple trucks are picking up vegetative debris each day, as well as construction and demolition material, as part of storm debris removal operations. Progress maps are updated regularly through the Department of Public Works and posted to the City's website. As old couches and mattresses have been observed atop of limb piles in public right-of-ways, neighbors have kindly been reminded to set out debris properly:

• Only debris generated as a result of the storm has been eligible for pickup.
• Only residential properties are eligible for pickup.
• Debris should be separated, in accordance with guidelines.
• Debris piles should be clear of obstructions and away from utility boxes or meters.

Crews exceeded their estimated debris collection of 35,000 cubic yards at 30 days in operation. The cleanup period was extended through August and will now be extended through late September.

For comparison, the 2023 tornado experienced in Norman ran the City approximately $750,000 in debris collection operations with six trucks in rotation - ultimately hauling a total of 20,000 cubic yards of waste - for five weeks. The 2020 ice storm, another citywide event, cost $6.5 million to cleanup and took four months. Thirty trucks were in operation and 400,000 cubic yards of debris was collected. Another wind storm event in 2020 that was contained between 48Th Avenue NE and 48th Avenue NW took two months to cleanup, cost just over $250,000 and two trucks were utilized for service. While every natural disaster can look a bit different, Sturtz says his team's mission remains the same.

"We want to clear neighborhoods as quickly and safely as possible," he said.

The Department of Utilities will also soon begin the 2026 Fall Residential Cleanup. It begins on September 26 and continues for four more consecutive Saturdays, which coincide with a customer's regular collection day. Items may be placed curbside no earlier than one week before scheduled collection, and no later than 7 a.m. on respective collection days.

September 26 Residential customers who have Monday polycart service

October 3 Residential customers who have Tuesday polycart service

October 10 Residential customers who have Wednesday polycart service

October 17 Residential customers who have Thursday polycart service

October 24 Residential customers who have Friday polycart service

"As storm debris pickup continues, there may be some overlap with the end of those collections and the beginning of ours for the Fall Residential Cleanup," said Chris Mattingly, Utilities Department Director. "We want to encourage customers to keep piles separate and let them know that we appreciate their continued patience."

For more information about storm debris pickup, contact the Streets Division at 405-329-2524. For more information about the Fall Residential Cleanup, contact the Sanitation Division at 405-329-1023.

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