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Porter County health department office damaged by water; county opens insurance claims and temporary relocation
Summary
A catastrophic water event damaged voter-registration and health department space at 157 Franklin Street. Officials say employees are working from the courthouse, equipment will be assessed, insurance has been notified, and repairs could take an estimated 60–90 days.
Porter County officials reported a ‘‘catastrophic’’ water event at 157 Franklin Street that damaged workspace and equipment used by the health and voter-registration departments.
Carrie Gershwin, director of the health department, told the commissioners the building suffered significant water damage that affected the entire voter registration department and parts of the health department. Staff boxed up belongings and are working from the courthouse while remediation and repairs proceed.
Gershwin said she has contacted the county’s insurance carrier; the carrier reviewed initial mitigation steps and told staff they were handling the matter. Contractors have begun drying and dehumidifying the space and will inventory equipment damage, including election-related gear in the basement. Any vendor‑assessed equipment losses will be replaced and submitted through the insurance process.
Gershwin estimated the work to take roughly 60 to 90 days, barring additional complications, and said the department may accelerate some bond-funded projects to prioritize repairs. She requested that all insurance correspondence include the county attorney; commissioners approved the request. County staff said they will hold follow-up meetings with the insurer and vendors and return to the board with updates as assessments and repairs proceed.
