MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – The state of emergency declaration was lifted Thursday for the Old County Building in Mount Clemens, but it doesn't look like it will reopen anytime soon.
Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel issued the declaration April 18 -- the day after an electrical fire crippled key parts of the county's IT, Internet and phone systems.
Recommended Videos
"It started the electrical system on fire," he said. He says the building should have been updated a long time ago.
"We had a fire in a building where are actual server was at which contained all of records and data and information for our IT technology. And, it was stored in a building that doesn't have a fire suppressing system in it," said Hackel.
Digital information was retrieved and temporally moved to Oakland County.
Hackel said the county is working to buy primary and temporary backup servers but the building can't be occupied and nearly 200 staff members are temporarily being relocated.
The 13-story building needs extensive repairs and upgrades, which is expected to take many months.
Courts are still open and the county has set up temporary phone numbers.