During a news conference Sunday afternoon, Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry said debris cleanup from Friday afternoon's storm could take anywhere from three to four months, and no estimates have been made yet as to how much the cleanup will cost the city and Allen County.
The city is asking that residents with downed trees and debris in their yards to push it all to the curb. Over the coming weeks and months, the Public Works and Parks and Recreation departments will make their way through the city to pick up the debris.
More information about when pickup will be for various areas of the city will be made available on the city's website at cityoffortwayne.com.
Al Moll, director of Parks and Recreation, said only debris at the curb will be picked up and reminded residents that if they have a tree they need removed and cannot do the job themselves, to call a private contractor or tree service for assistance.
For residents who wish to get rid of debris themselves, the city will collect debris at four locations: the parking lots of Swinney Park Pool, 1600 W. Jefferson Blvd. and Tillman Park off Tillman Road, at the Conklin Pavilion in Shoaff Park, 6401 St. Joe Road and at the city's Biosolids Facility, 5510 Lake Ave.. Fees for debris drop- off will be waived and hours at the facility will be extended until 9 p.m. throughout the week.
Downed trees fell into roads, blocking traffic for much of the weekend, but Henry said Sunday that the only two roads still closed were Bluffton Road and Ardmore Avenue. He said crews were working to open both by the end of the day Sunday.
Henry said 60,000 city residents are still without power. Crews from Michigan arrived in the area this morning to assist crews already working to restore power throughout the city.
The city's cooling centers will remain open, as well as the American Red Cross's shelter in the gymnasium at First Assembly of God Church, 1400 W. Washington Center Road. Residents should enter through door No. 5 and bring toiletries and bedding.
City of Fort Wayne cooling centers:
*9 a.m.-7 p.m. at Lifetime Sports Academy in the McMillen Park Golf Clubhouse, 3900 Hessen Cassel Road
*3-7 p.m. in the Jennings Center, 1330 McCulloch St.
Check back for updates throughout the day on this story and others at news-sentinel.com.
