Loogootee, Ind. — The City of Loogootee declared a local disaster emergency Monday afternoon due to severe winter weather affecting the area. The City of Loogootee Board of Works issued a declaration effective for seven days, citing a winter storm warning with heavy snowfall, blowing and drifting snow, and low wind chills.
Authorities have activated emergency response plans, and travel has been restricted to emergency personnel only, in accordance with Indiana Code. City officials urged residents to refrain from non-essential travel and cooperate with emergency services. Public officers and employees are designated as emergency management workers and are instructed to limit travel to essential duties.
The declaration follows a series of state and local alerts highlighting hazardous road conditions. The city also announced the closure of all schools for Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, with most opting for synchronous or asynchronous e-learning options. Schools affected include Loogootee, Barr-Reeve, Bloomfield, Dugger Union, East Gibson, Greater Jasper, Lawrenceville, Linton-Stockton, North Daviess, North Gibson, North Knox, Northeast Dubois, Otwell Miller, Pike County, Red Hill, Shakamak, Shoals, South Gibson, South Knox, Southeast Dubois, Southwest Dubois and Southwest Sullivan. Vincennes University campuses in Gibson, Jasper, and Vincennes will also be closed.
The storm, which has caused treacherous road conditions, prompted officials to issue the highest level of local travel advisory, restricting travel to emergency workers only. The city emphasized that this measure aims to safeguard residents and facilitate emergency operations amid the ongoing severe weather.
City officials indicated that the emergency declaration was filed promptly and will be publicly announced. The declaration may be extended beyond seven days only with governing body approval.
Closed Schools for Monday, Jan. 26, 2026:
Barr-Reeve Schools – Synchronous E-Learning
Bloomfield Schools – Synchronous E-Learning
Dugger Union Community Schools – Synchronous E-Learning
East Gibson Schools
Eastern Green Schools – Synchronous E-Learning
Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools
Lawrenceville Unit 20 Schools
Linton-Stockton Schools – Synchronous E-Learning
Loogootee Schools – Synchronous E-Learning
North Daviess Schools
North Gibson Schools
North Knox Schools – Asynchronous E-Learning
Northeast Dubois Schools – E-Learn
Otwell Miller School
Pike County Schools – Synchronous E-Learning
Red Hill Unit 10 Schools
Shakamak Schools – Synchronous E-Learning
Shoals Schools
South Gibson Schools – Asynchronous E-Learning
South Knox Schools – E-Learning
Southeast Dubois School
Southwest Dubois School – E-Learning
Southwest Sullivan – Synchronous E-Learning
Vincennes Catholic Schools – Synchronous E-Learning
Vincennes Community Schools – Asynchronous E-Learning
Washington Catholic Schools – E-Learning
Washington Community Schools – Asynchronous E-Learning
Vincennes University – Gibson, Jasper & Vincennes Campus