Oklahoma Governor Tours Moore To Monitor Tornado Recovery Efforts

Governor Mary Fallin took a walking tour on Wednesday to monitor the recovery efforts in Moore. It's now been more than three weeks since the tornado destroyed hundreds of homes.

6/12/2013 Related Story: Gov. Fallin Tours Tornado Recovery Efforts In Moore

Residents say they are making progress in getting their lives back together. Private contractors hired by the city are removing debris by the truckloads. So far 40,000 tons have been taken to the landfill. The site where Plaza towers was is now just a slab of concrete.

"I'm seeing tremendous progress," said Governor Fallin.

Progress is not only necessary for emotional and health reasons. But there's a financial incentive as well. FEMA will reimburse a higher percentage of debris removal costs if it's done quickly.

Wednesday, state officials said the clean up was being taken care of in record time.

"Matter of fact, talking to FEMA our partners here just as couple days ago they said it's a model for the rest of the nation just how fast and how the documentation is being done," said Albert Ashwood, the Director of Oklahoma Emergency Management.

Still, there is much work to be done here and other areas. But the governor said the state will be there to provide the resources until its complete.

"One of the challenges you have when you have a disaster like this is as time goes by people forget that there are still people who are hurting who are still trying to recover," said Governor Fallin.

Complete Coverage: May 2013 Tornado Outbreak

After their tour, the Governor and her group went to eat at Holly's flat iron grill, a local restaurant in Moore. As News 9's Chris McKinnon reported last week, a lot of local businesses in this area are suffering economically and the governor wanted to make a statement of the importance of supporting them.