Minneapolis tree cleanup continues more than two weeks after storm

Piles of brown, dead tree branches still littering south Minneapolis boulevards are visible reminders of the high winds that whipped through the Twin Cities more than two weeks ago, toppling trees onto cars, homes and streets.

That debris, and more than 100 downed trees in parks like the one that Lake Harriet runners dodged Saturday, may still take weeks to clear.

Despite working around the clock since the storm, city crews said Saturday that they're not quite halfway done hauling tree debris.

"It's just a lot of debris," forestry supervisor Randy Windsperger said. "It's like taking a broom and just sweeping it across the city. I know it gets frustrating, but I just want to assure everyone … we're doing everything possible."

The rain and high winds that battered the Twin Cities on June 20-21 knocked out power for days and tore down trees in cities across the west and north metro. In Minneapolis, city officials estimate that more than 3,000 trees toppled or were uprooted in neighborhoods and more than 100 trees were destroyed in parks and on Minnehaha Creek.

"Minneapolis was harder hit than most cities," park board spokeswoman Dawn Sommers said. "It's a big job, considering it impacted much of the city."

Between June 22 and July 3, the city hauled out more than 910 semitrailer truckloads of storm debris. About 2,000 residential trees have been cleared, with crews prioritizing trees that hit homes and blocked emergency routes.

"It's annoying," he said. "But I'd rather they take care of people who need it."

At Lake Harriet, yellow caution tape blocked off a large tree that splintered, falling over a path and into the water, forcing joggers and walkers such as Paula Baudhuin off the trail Saturday. She was surprised it still blocked the path, but said she understood the delay.

"You can't pick up the city in a day," she said. "You've got to give them time. We should just be grateful these trees aren't on our houses."

In fact, the city had to hire two large cranes to pull trees off homes and also has contracted with trucking companies, which Windsperger estimates has cost at least $500,000 so far. His 75 employees have worked overtime almost every day.

He said they hope to have all neighborhoods cleared by July 12 and then will start clearing trees at parks and along Minnehaha Creek.

"Residents see that and think it's not being addressed, but I can assure you we are," he said. In 25 years on the job, "it's probably one of the worst [extent of storm debris] I've seen."

Kelly Smith • 612-673-4141

Twitter: @kellystrib