Its been more than two weeks since tornadoes touched down in Southeast Wichita, but the cleanup continues and costs are adding up.
Click here to see strom damage.
Wichita wasn't hit as hard as Sedgwick County, but both could take a hit to their budgets.
The roof at the city's sewer treatment plant along Hydraulic still remains tattered. That area was likely hit first when the tornado touched down April 14th. The storm then moved northeast to the Oaklawn area.
But the sewer treatment plant isn't where the city is spending the most on cleanup.
"From our perspective, the costs were really in the removal of debris," said Wichita Public Works Director Alan King.
King says most of that debris came from tree damage, which is now piling up on the sewer treatment plant site while the city decides how to get rid of it.
"The more expensive option is to chip it," Alan said.
City leaders would prefer to burn it, but air quality concerns will require approval from KDHE.
King says the city's total cost of clean up so far is more than $1.3 million. That figure is expected to rise
Still, its far less than Sedgwick County's total damage. That bill is topping $146 million.
Up to 85% of those costs could be reimbursed by state or federal funds, if we qualify for the aide
"It certainly helps in a budget that is very constrained and we are trying to make every penny count," King said. "So that help would be very important."
While the city waits for answers on that help, it will keep adding up the costs of the tornado cleanup.
To qualify for help from FEMA, at least 250 homes or businesses must have major damage. Mobile homes don't count, because they are considered private property.
Individual assistance is already available from the Small Business Administration in the form of low-interest loans.
