Mississippi Tornado Debris Cleanup Nearly Complete

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Hattiesburg and Lamar County officials are nearing the end of the debris cleanup from the Feb. 10 tornado that struck northeastern Lamar County, Hattiesburg and Petal.

The Hattiesburg American reports Petal wrapped up its debris cleanup efforts March 22. Mayor Hal Marx says the cleanup tab was approximately $100,000.

A tremendous amount of damage to homes was done by falling trees, often splintered at the base by the EF4 tornado.Photo by Marilee Caliendo/FEMA

In Hattiesburg, John Brown, assistant to the mayor, said the final day for debris pickup in the city is April 15. Brown says the associated costs with the cleanup are approximately $500,000.

Jake Sones, the Lamar County Road Department manager, says crews have removed approximately 35,000 cubic yards of vegetative debris and more than 1,500 tons of construction debris. The Lamar County Board of Supervisors set a May 2 deadline for debris cleanup.