Rain catches Mono County jail in mid-roofing project

Every roofing contractor's worst nightmare came true in Bridgeport on Tuesday when a heavy wet storm hit in the middle of replacing the roof of the Mono County Jail and Administration Facility.

In all 22 inmates had to be evacuated to Independence after heavy rain and wind drove water into the jail.

According to Undersheriff Ralph Obenberger, the project started Oct. 2, with the help of Mono County Public Works and a local roofing contractor. The old roof was stripped down to concrete slabs, when word came that a big storm was on its way.

Obenberger said attempts were made to cover the roof and keep water or snow from entering the building.

The patch survived until 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday when water began entering the jail and the sheriff's administration. After it became clear attempts to staunch the flooding weren't working, the decision was made to evacuate the inmates. At least a tenth of an inch of rain was coming down through the day. More than 2 inches of precipitation were recorded in Bridgeport by the National Weather Service. Wind gusts that morning hit 35 mph.

Jailers met with Mono County Superior Court Judge Stan Eller, and a small number of inmates with minor sentences or whose sentences could be rescheduled were released on their own recognizance or to serve their time a t later date.

At noon, a Mono County Sheriff's Department Security Team assembled and moved all but two inmates, whose cells were not yet inundated, to the Bridgeport Memorial Hall, which served as a temporary jail.

Mono County contacted Douglas, Inyo and Washoe counties to see if anyone had room for their inmates. Officials decided to send the inmates to Independence in Inyo County. At 3 p.m. a convoy of Mono County and California Highway Patrol units moved the 22 inmates the 130 miles south to Independence.

During the flood, public works and information technology employees worked to keep the county's 911 system and records department operating, Obenberger said.

He said all court hearings will continue as scheduled. The California Office of Emergency Services has been contacted to explore the use of a communications trailer and a vehicle to bring inmates back to Bridgeport for hearings.

Relatives of inmates who were being held in Bridgeport should contact Inyo County about visitation or information.

Obenberger said he didn't have any information on when the jail would reopen.