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