SW Minn. struggles to clean up after storm

Disposing of debris is one of the big issues facing ice-storm-damaged southwest Minnesota.

Communities and rural areas are littered with thousands of tree limbs, and rain- and snow-soaked soil will complicate debris removal, said Bruce Gordon, communications director of the state Public Safety Department.

"Cities and counties are struggling to find good sites for collecting the debris," Gordon said, "because much of the ground is soft. It will impact where they can drop the debris and when and where the trucks will be able to drive."

State Department of Transportation trucks will be available to assist local governments in hauling debris away, Gordon said.