Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz has announced that the Edward A. Rath County Office Building, located at 95 Franklin St. in Buffalo, is closed today (Monday, April 22) due to a major water break.

The incident resulted in a main heating and cooling unit bursting, which flooded portions of the second, third, fourth and fifth floors of the 16-floor structure, as well as some of the building’s elevator shafts and staircases.

Employees who normally report to work at the Rath Building are asked not to report to work today other than essential employees of the county’s Department of Public Works. In addition, previously scheduled appointments for members of the general public with any departments based inside the building are canceled and will have to be rescheduled at a later date.

The building will remain closed for the rest of the day for cleanup efforts.