CLAYTON, MO – City officials announced that debris removal efforts following Friday’s tornados are moving faster than expected. Clean up crews from more than a dozen neighboring municipalities are working to remove fallen trees and debris from roadways.

Phase two of clean up began Thursday morning with crews mobilizing from the Center of Clayton. City manager David Gipson says the project could be finished within the week.

“We saw all this damage on Friday night, you never thought this was going to be possible,” Gispon said. “We thought it would be weeks and weeks at least and we're almost there… This has just been absolutely incredible. It's the best thing I've ever been involved with.”

In the six days since the storm, crews have removed tens of thousands of cubic yards of debris. 

“I usually get all the messages where people are unhappy, and I'm not getting very many of those because you guys are doing such an unbelievable job,” Clayton Mayor Bridget McAndrew told crews. “I'm so grateful.”

Despite the progress, two Clayton District schools remain closed due to power outages. Updates are available on the city’s storm recovery webpage.