Lighting Strike Damages Missouri Courthouse

Stoddard County commissioners are assessing the cost of a lightning strike to a courthouse that destroyed phones, a computer and other machinery.

The Dexter Daily Statesman reports the Aug. 6 strike hit a rod on top of the building. It knocked out electrical equipment in the Missouri Extension public administrator’s offices.

The extension office says a phone system box worth $900 and an answering machine were destroyed. The administrator’s office says it will have to replace all of its phones, a computer and possibly a copier.

The electrical storm also caused some damages to the county government building, justice center and the county sheriff’s office.

Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis says the county will contact its insurer. It’s unclear how much the damages will cost.