State highway crews are starting to help clean up communities in Clemmons and Advance hit by tornadoes last week.

The Transportation Department said workers would start the cleanup effort Wednesday to pick up debris such as trees and limbs.

The Winston-Salem Journal reported Wednesday that crews also will pick up demolition debris from damaged houses, shingles, appliances or other man-made items.

Forsyth County Board of Commissioners Chair Gloria Whisenhunt says local officials have been asking for state help with the cleanup since the cleanup started on Friday.

Gov. Mike Easley cited the need for more crews to help with the cleanup when he toured the area Saturday. He said Tuesday DOT crews would help with debris in Onslow and Bertie counties in eastern
North Carolina where tornados struck Sunday.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)