Staff writer
The violent rain and windstorm that lashed the community on July 29 has damaged the roof of one building in the Baker building complex in downtown Peabody. A small portion of the roof on the building at 123 N. Walnut St. collapsed in the storm, allowing rain to enter the building.
“We were already dealing with a quirky Kansas summer and more rainfall than we have had in a few years,” city administrator Shane Marler said. “Several of the building roofs have leaks that we have been dealing with.”
Marler said that the collapse at the building was a small area of the roof, about 10 or 15 percent. Even so, he said it allows a good-sized puddle to form when a storm is socked in over Peabody and rain falls steadily for hours on end.
“We have pumps pulling the water out, but sometimes they get overwhelmed and cannot keep up,” he said.
Marler said the storm damage is an insurance issue, not unlike the situation at Peabody Care Center or someone’s home. When he receives word from the insurance company, cleanup and repair can begin.
The Baker building complex begins with Pop’s Diner at 115 N. Walnut St. and includes all the buildings north to E&J Liquor, which is owned by Sharon and Gene Schmill. The Baker buildings are owned by a private corporation, Baker Lofts LLC.