Cleanup continues in Hickory 6 months after tornado

HICKORY, N.C. — The city of Hickory is still cleaning up the mess at several of its popular parks six months after an EF-2 tornado touched down.

Dozens of trees crashed down on the greenway at Glenn Hilton Park and paths are still blocked.

"We were just walking around enjoying the day and the wonderful weather,” visitor Brianna Beyer said. “It was kind of sad we couldn't go hiking on the pathways on the side."

A nearby playground is still roped off with caution tape after a tree damaged some of the equipment.

At Geitner Park, several of the trails remain closed after the tornado cut a path through them.

The danger remains that more trees could fall at any time.

The city has already made repairs to several of the parks but the number of trees that fell has made cleanup difficult. The cost so far is close to $80,000 for contracted tree removal and that does not include work done by city employees.

"It actually cost a lot of money to remove a large amount of debris,” visitor Greg Williamson said. “So I do have some sympathy. It is difficult to pay for it."

Channel 9 asked when the cleanup will be completed and the city didn't have an answer Tuesday. City officials are working with the insurance company for things like fences, but insurance doesn't cover tree removal.

Cox Media Group