Storm cleanup could take weeks

Cleanup begins at Kilgore College in front of Old Main where the storm left multiple trees down and other trees damaged that will have to be removed. Fortunately the fallen trees caused no damage to the buildings, but the tree removal will change the look of campus which had trees down in several locations. Overton Tree Service personnel are doing the removal for KC and estimate four to five days for the cleanup. City chipping services are slated to operate full force - possibly through the month - to clear parks, residential yards and city streets of debris.

After straight-line winds ripped through the city last Thursday many in Kilgore were left with damaged homes and property, as well as felled trees and limbs. In an effort to ease the burden placed on residents with storm damage the city parks department is operating chipping services eight hours a day.

"That is all we're doing," Mike Green, director of community services, said.

Residents who are already signed up for day-to-day chipping service are still in line for services, however, priority has been placed on the areas of town hit the hardest by the storm.

"We are staring on the south end of town and working north," Green said. "Those who are already on the chipping list will be serviced as we go."

Green said several homes still have trees laying on them and those cannot be moved or chipped until an adjuster has appraised damage.

"We may have to back track a little, for the insurance adjusters, but we will not stop until we are finished," Green said.

Green said the last report he received from Jesus Guzman, parks department crew foreman, showed crews had cleared trees, limbs and brush from four streets - encompassing some 60 residences.

City chipping services following this storm are provided free of charge.