Pipe burst in Miller County Courthouse causes major damage

MILLER COUNTY, Ark. (KSLA) - According to officials, the winter storm has caused pipes to burst in the Miller County Courthouse.

Some time overnight multiple pipes on the 5th floor burst, sending water throughout the floors below.

Miller County Judge, Cathy Harrison, says the interior appears to be a total loss.

“All the offices are basically destroyed, ceilings have caved in,” said Harrison.

County leaders have spent the day working to salvage important papers and other items. Harrison said they have contacted the Governor’s office for possible help.

The facility houses offices and courtrooms for circuit and district judges. These offices have already been relocated and Senior Judge Brent Haltom said court will go on as scheduled at a different location.

“We’ve got offices set up to do court and we will start Monday. We will be doing court Monday at the old St. Michael,” said Haltom.

County leaders say it could be up to a year before repairs are made and operations back to normal.

Meanwhile officials are looking for temporary locations for all county offices. However, the county judge said they hope to station one person in each office inside the courthouse as they work through this unprecedented crisis.

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