Linton Police Chief Paul Clark provided an update Wednesday following Sunday evening’s severe weather emergency, noting progress in reopening roadways and outlining next steps in the cleanup and recovery process.

As of 7 a.m. Wednesday, State Road 59 south from State Road 54 has reopened, Clark said. Inspectors from the state of Indiana were in Linton earlier this week to assess damage to downtown buildings.

Clark emphasized that not all buildings were assessed, and a building not being inspected does not indicate it was undamaged. State inspectors focused on structures that appeared to have visible structural damage from the exterior. Downtown property owners who believe their buildings may have structural damage but were not assessed are encouraged to contact their insurance providers immediately.

The Linton Fire Department will be contacting businesses that were affected by the state’s assessments.

Clark cautioned that the reopening of State Road 59 does not signal the end of cleanup efforts. In fact, cleanup operations are just beginning. Residents and business owners should expect a heavy presence of workers and equipment in the downtown area, and parking will likely be limited during the process.

Residents who sustained tornado- or wind-related damage are encouraged to call 211 to report their impacts. Clark also urged residents to work closely with their insurance providers throughout the recovery process.

He warned residents to remain alert for potential scams, noting that it is common for out-of-area contractors to enter storm-damaged communities and pressure residents into signing contracts for exaggerated or unnecessary repairs.

Clark encouraged residents to use local contractors who are known to be reliable and reputable. Friends, neighbors and insurance agents are often the best resources when determining contractor credibility, he said.

Additionally, the recycling center on 12th Street SE opened at 10 a.m. Wednesday and is accepting small amounts of construction debris and vegetative debris.