Capitol basement floods

A broken sprinkler main flooded offices in the basement of the state Capitol early Thursday.

Buildings and Grounds Administrator Mike Meizel said water from the four-inch main ran around the north side of the historic Capitol and down a service ramp to the basement. Capitol Police discovered the flooding at 1:20 a.m. and called for help.

Meizel said quick-thinking by Officer Stan McGarry probably reduced the damage. He used rock and dirt from surrounding flower beds to build a dam at the top of the ramp and divert water into a nearby parking lot.

State crews began using wet vacuums to remove the water.

Contractors and crews had to haul furniture, file cabinets and boxes out of the Secretary of State's Elections Division, Treasurer's Office and the Capitol Pressroom. They used industrial vacuums to suck up most of the water and installed fans to help dry the floors and carpets. State workers asked how long it would take for a "wet dog" smell to go away, and Meizel said if the smell doesn't disappear, some parts of the carpeting may have to be replaced.