Gulfport Council approves bids for courthouse flood damage repairs

A significant discussion unfolded during the Harrison County Board of Supervisors meeting on April 14, 2025, focusing on the urgent need for repairs following a severe water leak at the First Judicial District Courthouse in Gulfport. The leak, which flooded three courtrooms and damaged vital records, has prompted immediate action to prevent future disasters.

Supervisors discussed the necessity of installing cutoff valves to control water flow, a measure that could have mitigated the recent flooding. "We did not have the time control of the water," one supervisor noted, highlighting the lack of preparedness that led to the incident. The board is now moving forward with plans to authorize bids for pouring replacement work in the courthouse, emphasizing the urgency of restoring the facility.

In response to the flooding, a refrigerated trailer has been set up to preserve wet documents and books, with plans for a specialized company to assess the damage and attempt digital recovery of the records. "I have documents that were wet and gutted," a supervisor explained, detailing the ongoing efforts to salvage important materials.

The courthouse's vault remains closed as staff work to relocate operations, with some personnel potentially moving into hallways to maintain workflow during repairs. The board is actively seeking solutions to ensure that public services continue despite the disruption.

As the situation develops, the board's proactive measures aim to restore the courthouse's functionality and safeguard its records, underscoring the importance of infrastructure preparedness in local government operations.