Lone Man #11

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some insight scoop into the damage at the DC temple

Subject: Some additional information about the earthquake damage to the Washington DC Temple

Date Published: August 26, 2011
Date of Information: August 23, 2011
Source: Individual with access to the information, as reported by a second individual who had direct access by virtue of his position

Summary: The earthquake gave the DC Temple a good shake. Damage inside was minimal, but external damage was significant and required repairs - some of which have occurred. Structural engineers have been consulted and the temple is operating normally.

Source states that second individual had just entered an office on the 3rd floor of the temple when the earthquake struck. The rocking motions were strong and he braced himself in the doorway; he observed pictures moving on the walls and chandeliers swinging about a foot off center, each way.

The temple did a check of the patrons in the various rooms to see if there were any injuries and to inspect for damage. Inside, a few ceiling tiles had popped out of the guides in a few areas and several plastic caps that cover the fire extinguisher/sprinkler heads had fallen off. Pictures were crooked on walls and items slid around on tables. But as of August 26, no other significant damage has been observed within the building.

An inspection of the exterior of the temple determined that 4 of the 6 metal spires had broken off, about 8 feet from the top for the various broken spires. The pieces split into two as they came down, resulting in sections about 4 feet long. Two segments punctured the roof: a section over the bridge/walkway and a section of the main roof. These were repaired within the next day or two - in anticipation of the possible tropical storm.

Other pieces fell (or were flung) to the sides of the building.

• One piece of the spire fell next to the baptistery entrance and hit with such force that it make a good sized hole in the concrete and actually curled the tip of the metal spire in such a way as to resembled something between a shepherd's crook and the wicked witch of the east's toes as the curled up when Dorothy removed the slippers.
  
• One section struck the temple van, which is in the repair shop because the engine wouldn't turn over.

About 15 minutes after the earthquake, a sealing was performed.

The temple has been operating normally, but will close early on August 27 in anticipation of the severe weather system moving towards the area.