Storm Sparks Fire At County Courthouse

Strong storms sweep through parts of Green Country causing damage.  Those severe storms quickly dumped three to five inches of rain on Muskogee early Friday.  Strong winds also caused problems.  News On 6 anchor Craig Day reports it was the Muskogee County Courthouse that fared the worst.

Even though much of the water is gone, there are signs of the storm's power left behind.  Estimated 70 mile per hour wind gusts ripped the roof off one of the county's barns.

"High winds.  Very high winds.  My pickup went to rocking a little bit.  Ran into the office.  Phones were ringing.  Sat down, and I looked out the north window and there goes our roof," said county employee Gail Ward.

The roof ended up behind the building, and county workers ended up without power.  OG&E utility crews worked to restore electric service.  It wasn't wind, but lightning that caused problems at the Muskogee County Courthouse.

"We get a phone call.  There is smoke in the courthouse.  We think it is originating on the third floor.  We obviously turn around and come back here.  It turns out it is originating from our office," said Muskogee County Emergency Management Director Eugene Blankenship.

Fire damaged the Emergency Management Office in the basement of the courthouse.  A lightning strike likely caused an electric surge.

"Every cabinet that was in that office in there was smoke damaged," said Muskogee County Emergency Management Director Eugene Blankenship.

Despite the smoke damage, the fire was confined to a relatively small area.  Director Eugene Blankenship hopes he can save personal belongings.

"My college degrees I had hanging on the wall.  My pictures and stuff.  You can't replace this kind of stuff," said Muskogee County Emergency Management Director Eugene Blankenship.

While cleanup is underway, emergency management workers will be able to work out of one of two other backup emergency operations centers in Warner or Ft Gibson.  They could also relocate to another office in the courthouse.

"We had plans in place and we'll just get these things cleaned up and we'll move right along," said Muskogee County Emergency Management Director Eugene Blankenship.

Muskogee County crews are repairing roads that were damaged or washed out by the storm.  Some county workers say it's the heaviest rain they've seen in years.