Community celebrates recovery

Natural disasters created a time to cry, but residents in east Cleveland County are resilient.

Wildfires in 2012 and a tornado on May 19, 2013, destroyed homes, vegetation and infrastructure throughout east Cleveland County.

Then, the cleanup recovery efforts further damaged key roadways as heavy equipment moved through the already stressed area.

Now, six years and $26 million in road improvements later, the residents of Little Axe and Pecan Valley are able to celebrate.

In conjunction with the completion of Cleveland County road projects funded by Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Relief funds, program managers with the Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS), Cleveland County Commissioner Darry Stacy and the city of Norman hosted a public hearing followed by a community celebration at the Little Axe Community Center, 1000 168th Ave NE.

“It was amazing to me, as I drove out here tonight, you still see the devastation from those fires,” Stacy said. “Whenever I started (as county commissioner) in 2013, the cleanup process had begun.”

More than 100 people enjoyed free food from vendors and food trucks, while about 150 attended the public hearing, looked over the displays of the repaired roads before, during and after construction, and enjoyed family friendly activities like face painting, touch a fire truck and a kids’ moon bounce.

Cleveland County and the city of Norman worked together to apply for the grants through the Community Development Block Grant’s disaster relief program.

“What I like when I come out here is the sense of community I get. You all care so much about this area,” Norman Mayor Lynne Miller said.

During the event, IBTS donated a freezer to the community center as a token of gratitude.

“Thank you very much,” said Pam Sharp, Norman recreation supervisor. “This means a whole lot.”

The freezer will allow the community center to accept food donations for the homeless meal program.

“We have built back stronger and better than we were,” Stacy said.

Joy Hampton is public information officer within the Cleveland County sheriff’s office.

Cleveland County community members gathered recently to celebrate area’s recovery and improvement efforts.

[PHOTO PROVIDED] “Every Knee Shall Bow in the Dark but Rise in the Light,” a painting by Mongo Allen, is part of a show that opens Oct. 25 at Whispering Willows Gallery.

[PHOTOS PROVIDED] A recent Cleveland County celebration included face painting, as well as food and other activities.

Children enjoy an inflatable slide during a community celebration at the Little Axe Community Center.