The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration building in Washington is ready to be reopened to the public after being closed for three weeks because of flooding. Archivist of the United States Allen Weinstein has declared that public areas of the National Archives are now open.
The archives building has been closed since June 25, when record rains hit the Washington area. The building's electrical transformer vaults, sub-basements, and a theater were damaged. However, no original records were affected. You can read my earlier article about this at http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2006/06/us_national_arc.html.
Weinstein said emergency crews have been working 24 hours a day. All standing water had been removed by June 27, and industrial dehumidifiers were brought in to remove moisture. Workers then repaired electrical connections to the building. Officials said all critical building systems are operational although some are operating at reduced capacity.
