OAKLAND CITY, Ind. — An EF-2 tornado, with estimated peak winds of 115 MPH, devastated parts of Oakland City early Saturday morning, leaving behind widespread damage and prompting a significant response from local authorities and first responders.
The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado’s path, which began at Snake Run and moved northeast through Oakland City. Despite the severity of the storm, officials reported no major injuries, though there were some instances of people being trapped in debris.
Gibson County Sheriff Bruce Vanoven explained the extent of the damage, noting that access roads into Oakland City have been closed to all non-residents. This restriction remains in place to allow first responders and utility crews to continue their work safely.
“We had the National Weather Service out here. They looked at the storm damage beginning at Snake Run, going northeast, and coming through Oakland City,” Sheriff Vanoven said. “There were no major injuries, but we did have some entrapments, including one incident near CR 550 East near Francisco.”
Among the most harrowing rescue operations was the extraction of a family of six trapped in a mobile home that had been severely damaged by the tornado. East Gibson Fire Chief Chris Duncan described the tense moments as crews worked to rescue the family.
“When you hear six people trapped in a mobile home, your heart starts racing,” Chief Duncan said. “We tried to rescue them from the rear of the home. Nobody had shoes, so we had to find shoes. We couldn’t carry people through the wires and debris.”
While the rescue was successful and no lives were lost, officials are urging extreme caution for all residents, regardless of the extent of damage to their properties. Chief Duncan highlighted the dangers of debris, such as nails and downed wires, still scattered throughout the area.
“Even with the homeowners, be careful when you go outside in your backyard because you don’t know what you are going to find,” Duncan warned.
As cleanup continues, the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office has restricted entry into the town to only local residents and first responders. Sheriff Vanoven emphasized the importance of these restrictions, especially after dark, for safety reasons.
“If you are not from here, if you don’t have business here, then you don’t need to be here, especially after dark,” Sheriff Vanoven stated.
Mayor Jim Deffendall has been actively coordinating the response, working closely with Gibson County Solid Waste and contractors from outside the area to remove debris and fallen tree limbs. Despite the overwhelming challenges, Mayor Deffendall expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from the community and neighboring cities.
“I can’t speak enough about how proud I am of the volunteers; it was overwhelming,” Mayor Deffendall said. “It’s been a long day, but we are going home feeling good about it.”
Officials have stated that the National Weather Service will return to the area to conduct further damage assessments and release a final report on the tornado’s impact. As cleanup efforts continue, the resilience and teamwork displayed by local officials and volunteers provide a sense of hope for the community as it begins to rebuild.
