Damage to Morgan County Courthouse Could Cost $500,000 to Fix

Storm damage to the roof of the Morgan County, Ind. Courthouse forced two courtrooms to temporarily relocate and may cost up to $500,000 to fix.

Morgan County Commissioner Norman Voyles said repairs could cost from $200,000 to $500,000, but no official estimates have been made.

The roof on the north side of the building in Martinsville, about 20 miles southwest of Indianapolis, was blown off by winds that reached 90 miles per hour on Tuesday night, according to the National Weather Service.

One section was blown to the ground and a second hit another part of the roof of the courthouse that was built in 1857.

Voyles said bricks were knocked loose and support trusses damaged, but engineers found the building was still structurally sound.

Morgan County Superior Courts I and III were moved to City Hall and the county administration building while repairs were made.

The storms that blew through the state were blamed for four deaths, including three people in mobile homes.

Information from: The Herald-Times,
http://www.heraldtimesonline.com.