West Virginia News

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A water leak Monday morning in the Kanawha County Judicial Annex caused water damage to five floors, but no records were destroyed and the offices are still open.The building is located on the corner of Virginia and Court streets.
According to Emergency Services Director Dale Petry, a sink on the fifth floor had a fitting come apart, causing gallons of water to spill out.
The water pooled on the fifth floor, then spread down through the ceiling, all the way to the first floor.
The leak was contained to the judicial building, but did spread all over the floors, causing half an inch of standing water in some hallways.
County Commission President Kent Carper said it appears the error was caused by a county employee.

“Once the leak started, they had a difficult time turning it off,” Carper said. “They didn’t know where the cutoff valve was.”

He said the damage is contained and does not appear to be serious.
Petry said county employees acted quickly and covered up the furniture with plastic. The Charleston Fire Department helped get a large amount of the water cleared by bringing over vacuums and fans. A professional company was called in to clean the carpet. The judicial annex contains the circuit clerk’s office, the circuit, magistrate and family courts, offices and record rooms.