Lanesville community helps clean up athletic complex after flooding

LANESVILLE, Ind. (WDRB/WAVE) — Lanesville Community Schools hosted a cleanup Saturday as it works to rebuild after flash flooding this week destroyed the district's athletic complex.

Several volunteers showed up Saturday with wheelbarrows, rakes and other equipment to get the facilities back into playing shape.

"It warms your heart, right? It's just what we're about, what the community is about," Lanesville High School wrestling coach John Smith said. "As a coach and as a parent and as a community member, it just shows the attitude and the caring of the town and of these kids to come out here and help out."

Those who could not attend but still want to help can donate to a flood relief fund. Donations will go directly toward repairing the track and soccer, softball and baseball fields, as well as replacing any lost or damaged equipment.

Checks can be made payable to Lanesville Athletics, with "flood relief" in the memo. Those can be mailed to the school at 2725 Crestview Ave., Lanesville, IN 47136. Donations can also be dropped off at the school's main office.

More than eight inches of rain fell over the course of about three hours in Lanesville on Tuesday, turning streets into rivers, trapping neighbors in their homes and businesses and caused some to take shelter on rooftops.