SIKESTON -- Besides removing tree limbs, Sikeston Department of Public Works employees have -- over the past 48 hours -- put down salt on the roads and drained streets to prevent blockages and flooding from the heavy rainfall Sikeston received.
So far Public Works employees have used about 200 tons of salt on the streets and 384 man hours were used during this storm, according to Steve Lee, street superintendent for Sikeston Department of Public Works.
On Wednesday three crews were still working on heavy tree removal throughout the city, Lee said.
"We have supervisors who patrol the whole town to generate a list of all the limbs that are down. The last time I checked we had 60 to 70 spots to go to and, of course, some may be added as limbs fall," said Lee, adding work is prioritized from major to secondary roads and secondary to residential.
Two-thirds of the fallen tree limbs are on the west half of Sikeston, which is oldest part of town and has more trees, Lee said. One-third of the problems are east of Main Street, he added.
For Sikeston residents who want to dispose of their tree limbs, the compost pile site is open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. through Saturday, Lee said. The site is located behind the fire station on North West Street.
"City practice is that we don't have a limb pick up service, but in unique situations, we will help as much as we can from the city right-of-ways," Lee said.