Lightning hit Beaufort city buildings 4 times. Employees jumped. Here’s what it will cost
The cost of four lightning strikes at two municipal buildings in Beaufort — which caused some employees to “jump out of their seats” — has risen to more than $100,000, City Manager Bill Prokop says.
Two lighting strikes hit City Hall on July 14. The building housing the Police Department and Municipal Court also was struck twice the same day.
Nobody was injured but the strike closed down the buildings temporarily and “burned up” electrical systems that control security, heating and air conditioning systems.
At City Hall, lightning struck right outside the offices of some employees, Prokop said, including Finance Director Alan Eisenman.
“They really felt it,” Prokop said, “and basically jumped out of their seats.”
Lightning hit cables and wiring coming into the buildings, Prokop said, and also struck the side of City Hall.
Initially, the estimate of the damages was $30,000, Prokop said. But on Tuesday, Prokop said the damage tally had increased to more than $100,000 as contractors hired by the city to repair the damage found more damage.
Insurance, Prokop said, will cover the cost of the repairs.
