A three-inch rainfall late Sunday and early Monday caused extensive damage inside the McIntosh County Courthouse, forcing the facility to close Monday.
Servpro of McAlester began cleaning the courthouse early Monday, vacuuming water that infiltrated the three-story building from top to bottom.
“FloodServ told us they pulled 400 gallons of water out of the courthouse,” said County Clerk Deena Farrow. “We should be open tomorrow (Tuesday, July 23) but fans will be blowing, still drying things out. Most of it is cleaned up though. They will be holding court tomorrow.”
Cost of the damage was not immediately known.
District 2 County Commissioner Monty Grider said the insurance adjusters were going to look at the site this week and give an estimate, perhaps by Friday.
The chambers of Associate District Judge Brendon Bridges adjacent to the main courtroom on the third flood received severe water damage, which has happened several times in the past.
The main courtroom also was flooded.
“This is a continuing problem,” Grider said.
The problem is with the aging roof, which is covered with foam that is cracking severely as it ages.
Water flows in through the cracks and into the courthouse.
The area suffering the worst damage seemed to be the second-floor County Clerk’s office, where water flooded electrical outlets and damaged computers. Some logbooks in a safe room in the office suffered minor damage.
Some hallways were flooded, as was the firstfloor meeting room for the county commissioners. They held their weekly meeting Monday in the small courtroom on the third floor.
A $6.2 million project to add a wing to the courthouse and to replace the aging roof, among other projects, is currently underway.
The cost of the project includes a new roof.
Grider said roofers were supposed to arrive Tuesday.
“The construction of the wing had nothing to do with the flooding,” Grider said. “It was caused by the old roof, which has been a continuing problem. It’s the foam roofing, which is breaking apart.”
This week’s flooding highlights why the renovation project is so important, Grider said.
Extensive remodeling and renovation will take place throughout the old courthouse to bring it up-to-date in order to accommodate today’s needs.
Among the changes coming:
• Roof alterations to stop leaks
• New HVAC system that will allow removal of the dropped ceilings
• Renovated restrooms • Remodeled courtroom, judge’s chambers, jury room and more
• The elevator operating system will be changed from hydraulic to electric, for a smoother, more dependable ride
• More office space for all departments
