Burst water pipe ID’d as cause of flooding at Harrisburg Library

Published on December 26, 2022

Extensive damage at the Cabarrus County Public Library System’s Harrisburg branch was caused by a three-quarter-inch pipe that burst sometime on Christmas Day, officials said. The pipe was located in the facility’s attic.

The flooding was discovered late Sunday afternoon by a Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Deputy patrolling the area. A library employee had been at the facility earlier in the day to process dropped-off books and saw no sign of any issue at that time.

On Sunday evening, County officials from multiple departments responded to the library at 201 Sims Parkway to save what property they could and begin the clean-up process.

No specific loss amount is known at this time, and it’s not known how long the library will remain closed.

The book drop boxes outside the facility remain in operation, and officials hope to offer curbside service to patrons, according to Library Director Melanie Holles. If possible, staff members will work in the building as allowed by clean-up and repairs. Otherwise, they’ll be reassigned to other locations, Holles said.

All County library branches are closed for the Christmas holiday. The Concord, Kannapolis, Mt. Pleasant and Midland branches will re-open on Wednesday (December 28).