OAKLAND CITY, Ind. — Volunteers are being urged to assist with cleanup efforts in Oakland City and the surrounding areas of Gibson County after severe weather caused significant damage over the weekend.
Gibson County Sheriff Bruce Vanoven confirmed that the storm, which passed through the region late Friday night into Saturday morning, left behind widespread destruction. The hardest-hit areas include Oakland City and the rural Francisco area, where numerous trees, power lines, and utility poles were downed, leaving residents without power and disrupting normal life.
In an effort to organize the response and ensure safety, Sheriff Vanoven emphasized that while the public should refrain from coming out to survey the damage, volunteers are welcome to contribute to the cleanup efforts. “We need help from the community to restore the area and assist with recovery,” Vanoven said.
Those interested in volunteering are advised to report directly to the Oakland City Fire Department to check in. Volunteers should approach the department via Route 357 and park in the lots across the street, making sure not to park in front of the fire doors. The sheriff’s office urges all volunteers to report to the fire department first before proceeding to any active cleanup sites.
By following these guidelines, authorities hope to efficiently organize the volunteer efforts while ensuring that emergency services are not hindered by unnecessary traffic or confusion. The sheriff also stressed the importance of maintaining safety during cleanup, as hazardous conditions, including downed power lines and unstable structures, remain in the affected areas.
As the community rallies together to restore the area, local officials express their gratitude for the support of volunteers who are helping to bring Oakland City and the surrounding communities back to normalcy.
