A burst plumbing line in the attic of the Palo Pinto County Courthouse caused multi-floor water damage and forced temporary closure of court operations, according to County Judge Shane Long.
During the weekend before the Thanksgiving holiday, a leak occurred above the third floor, sending water directly into the District Attorney’s Office before seeping down into the district court level, the district clerk’s doorway, the jury room, the County clerk’s office and the basement records vault.
“We believe that there was a line in the attic of the courthouse… that failed,” Long said. “This is an 80-year-old building.”
Despite flooding, Long said no permanent public records were lost. One record book sustained water damage, but the county clerk’s office had already digitized all its records, completing months of preservation work prior to the incident.
“We had just one book that had water damage, and all of those records have been digitized,” Long said. “So we didn’t have a loss of the hard copy records… and we do have the digital records anyway.”
More than 100 dehumidifiers and fans have been running inside the building this week as mitigation crews remove moisture and damaged flooring.
Courthouse closed Monday; more updates expected
Concerns over safety hazards from drying equipment mean the courthouse will remain closed to the public Monday. Long expects to know by midday whether any portion can reopen later in the week.
“The trip hazard is very high. We wouldn’t want to put anybody at risk,” he said.
Only Monday court dockets are currently impacted. JP courts remain in operation, and the county annex in Mineral Wells, including tag, tax and clerk services, is open for public business.
DA’s Office moving — possibly for several months
Due to the extent of damage on the third floor, commissioners approved relocating the District Attorney’s Office to the county IT building across the street. The move is temporary but may last months.
All prosecutorial records remain secured with double-lock protection as required by statute.
“We have maintained that all the way through this, and we will continue to maintain that in whatever move they make,” Long said.
Leak discovered just in time
Long said the outcome could have been catastrophic had the leak continued unnoticed another day, potentially filling the basement vault with up to six feet of water.
“It could have been much worse,” he said.
He expects most courthouse functions, except the DA’s Office, to be operating again before the end of the week, pending an update from the cleanup crews and insurance adjusters.
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This is very sad for people who’s lives are at risk and are unable to get Emergency Protective Orders. They should have something in place for situations like this.
+65°F
This is very sad for people who’s lives are at risk and are unable to get Emergency Protective Orders. They should have something in place for situations like this.