Chatham County Coroner’s Office Flooded by Burst Pipe, Renovations Set for Next Few Weeks

Savannah, GA – February 14, 2025

A burst pipe has caused significant flooding at the Chatham County Coroner’s Office, prompting a temporary shutdown as the office begins much-needed renovations. The incident occurred early this morning, causing water damage to key areas of the facility. Fortunately, no staff members were injured, and the cause of the pipe burst is still under investigation.

County officials responded swiftly to the situation, evacuating the building and securing affected areas. However, the damage was substantial enough to require immediate repairs, which have led to the decision to close the office for the next couple of weeks.

“The safety of our staff and the integrity of our operations are our top priority,” said Chatham County Coroner, Dr. Ione Krueger. “We are working closely with contractors and maintenance teams to ensure that the necessary renovations are completed as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

The flooding primarily affected the lower levels of the office, including storage areas and equipment used for autopsies and case management. Water has since been removed, but the damage to electrical systems, furnishings, and other crucial infrastructure requires substantial work before the office can reopen.

In the meantime, the coroner’s office is working with local authorities and other nearby facilities to manage essential operations, including the processing of bodies and death investigations. The department has reassured the public that there will be no disruption to services during the renovation period, and they will continue to handle cases with professionalism and care.

Local residents are encouraged to contact the Chatham County Coroner’s Office for any urgent inquiries or case updates via the county’s emergency hotline.

“We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and we appreciate the community’s patience as we work to restore the office to full functionality,” Dr. Krueger added.

Renovations are expected to take several weeks, with updates on progress to be provided to the public. County officials are hopeful that the coroner’s office will be able to resume normal operations by the end of the month.

For more information, citizens are advised to visit the Chatham County website or reach out to the county’s public relations department.