DPW Official Expects Weeks of Storm Cleanup

In his 42 years of living in Clawson, Fred Gieseking has never seen so much storm damage. His one-acre yard on Batchewana Avenue remains remains covered with large trees that toppled during

"I think probably mine was one of the worst," Gieseking said.

Some debris has been cleaned up, but on Monday evening he was still uncertain when the rest would be cleared. He also has damage to his roof and garage.

Gieseking is one of many residents on the south end of Clawson with fallen trees in their front and backyards. Branches are piled on curbs throughout the neighborhoods.

While Department of Public Works employees are working overtime every day to shred and pick up debris on the curbs, assistant superintendent Doug Ballard said it could take weeks before the work is complete.

"We've got three chipping trucks out there," Ballard said on Tuesday morning. "We have all available manpower out there as we speak."

Ballard said they've cleaned up about a quarter of the neighborhoods. Streets are cleared for traffic. The blocks south of 14 Mile Road  between Main Street and Crooks Road were the hardest hit in the storm.

Ballard said DTE Energy has cleared all zones with downed power lines. The utility pole that was leaning in the middle of Nakota and Manitou has been fixed. 

Restoration workers, like Ron Younes, have been out since Sunday assessing home damages.

"I've never seen trees looking like this," Younes said as he stood in Gieseking's yard. "It's like a hurricane came through here."

Younes of M & R Carpentry said he is dealing with damages that need immediate attention, such as strewn branches in the streets and roofing problems.

Many residents were uncertain on Monday when their yards would be cleaned up. Fran Jagger, who lives on Batchewana, said her insurance company would only cover structural damage. She will be left pay for clearing downed trees in her backyard, which could cost thousands of dollars.

"We're kind of just devastated," Jagger said. "We can't wait to start getting things together in the backyard."

Residents may continue to leave debris on the side of the road, the DPW said. It will picked it up as soon as possible.