This week's rain and thunderstorms flooded a Missouri House of Representatives hearing room and unfinished storage space at the Capitol on Friday morning.
D. Adam Crumbliss, chief clerk of the House, said the water damage was to House Hearing Room 3, the largest House hearing room that is primarily used by the House Budget and Appropriation Committees when drafting the state budget each year.
Wanda Seeney, Office of Administration spokeswoman, said Friday afternoon there were no estimates of damage.
"However, we expect the repair costs to be minimal," she said.
Crumbliss said the flood occurred because of a failure in the Capitol's roof drainage system, which routes water from the roof of the building into the Capitol, down to the basement and then back outside of the building.
He said the Capitol's roof underwent extensive repairs a couple of years ago, but the project didn't address the long-term problems of leaking in the ground floor and basement because of a nearly century-old drainage system.
"Leaks have been a significant problem needing attention, and we are hoping to address these critical needs in the coming year," Crumbliss said. "The historic nature of this building, its spaces, its artwork and the fact that it is a working office building require a timely focus of attention to these problems."
Crumbliss said the flooded area of the Capitol is under the House's jurisdiction, but the House works jointly with the Office of Administration to address overall facility issues.
Seeney said this particular Capitol repair does not fall within Capitol improvements outlined in House Bill 19, which is awaiting Gov. Nixon's approval. The bill includes, but is not limited to, "major additions and renovations, new structures, and land improvements or acquisitions."
The Senate had not reported any flooding issues as of Friday afternoon.