Blizzard Debris Cleanup Complete in Rapid City

Cleanup of tree branch debris in the wake of an early October blizzard in western South Dakota has wrapped up in Rapid City but continues in Sturgis.

Rapid City Public Works Director Terry Wolterstorff says the amount of branches and limbs that was cleaned and chipped in that city was enough to cover about 18 football fields 10 feet deep. He says the debris cleanup cost about $2.5 million, and that doesn’t include snow removal.

The Rapid City Journal reports the city hopes to get reimbursed by the federal government for much of the cost.

KEVN-TV reports that crews in Sturgis are still working to remove hundreds of tree branches damaged by the storm that brought up to 4 feet of snow. The work there could continue another two weeks.