The City of Perry is a little more than three weeks removed from the derecho storm that wreaked havoc on the community, and one City official is impressed with how the town has worked together to clean up.

Perry Police Chief Eric Vaughn tells Raccoon Valley Radio that he noticed a swift response from everyone around the community, “With all the trees that got downed or block the roadways, I know it was pretty stressful that first few hours just trying to get out to people that were calling, needing our assistance. The Parks Department and the Public Works Department got out there really quickly to get those streets opened up so we could get to people.” 

Vaughn adds it was a complete team effort, and he was touched by all those who took time out of their day to help others, “There were people calling in from outside the area. Farmers and construction crews called in and said, ‘Can we come into town? Can we come help open up the streets?’ Then they came in with chainsaws and backhoes and different types of equipment to make sure those streets got opened up as quickly as possible. By that afternoon, probably four or five hours after the storm, just about every road in town was opened up.”

As operations begin to get back to normal, the City wants to remind residents the recycling dumpsters at the McCreary Center, high school football field, and police department are now back to accepting recyclable materials only.  You can hear more from Chief Vaughn on the City’s cleanup efforts, back to school safety, and more on Tuesday’s Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County program.