Volunteers needed for Tulsa flood cleanup

(TULSA, Okla.) The Tulsa Area Emergency Management Agency is seeking volunteers to assist with cleanup operations at the Town and Country neighborhood at 145th and Highway 51 from June 1-2, from 8 a.m. to dark. Volunteers should show up wearing boots and heavy leather work gloves. Anyone who comes without these will be turned away. It’s strongly advised volunteers have tetanus shots prior to volunteering. Residents can receive tetanus shots on site from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturday from the Tulsa Health Department. Cleanup efforts will start in affected homes beginning with interior item removal like furniture, bedding and other normal interior contents. Mud, muck and silt deposits will need to be shoveled out and thrown away. Then drywall, sheetrock, insulation and any electric materials that were covered with water will need to be removed. Volunteers and homeowners will have to scrub, clean and bleach the homes. Once everything has been removed, the doors to the home will need to be left open for them to dry out and fans used if you have them. Interior debris will need to be moved out to the dumpsters, which will be provided. Any green waste will be taken to the City of Tulsa green waste site. Access to the neighborhood will be limited to residents, family, volunteers and first responders. Neighbors and volunteers need to be aware for heavy machinery in the area. As homeowners re-enter these homes, it’s important to document and take pictures of the flood damage for insurance and damage assessment purposes. Affected residents are encouraged to go to www.damage.ok.gov to report damages online. Volunteers may bring any additional equipment. Gasoline powered devices, such as generators and power washers, should not be operated indoors. Anyone interested in volunteering with any other efforts should call 211.