SALINA, Kan. — The Central Mall is Salina continues to be closed following a hailstorm that moved through Saline County shortly after midnight on April 27.
Roof damage from storm led to water intrusion inside the mall which led to standing water in portions of the mall.
As of today, the interior of the mall remains closed after the Kansas Department of Health and Environment ordered asbestos testing following the storm damage.
In a release issued by KDHE, the agency said all exterior doors to the mall should remain closed and locked, with access limited only to licensed asbestos inspectors until testing results are complete.
KDHE also ordered all roof work and interior drying efforts to stop until asbestos test results are known.
Businesses with exterior entrances may remain open only if they seal off access to the mall interior using asbestos control standards, including airtight plastic barriers made with two layers of 6-mil poly sheeting secured with duct tape. Those businesses also must provide proof they do not share HVAC systems with the mall interior.
Businesses without exterior access must remain closed until the building is deemed safe.
According to KDHE, reopening from an asbestos compliance standpoint would require “clean” air sampling results showing acceptable airborne asbestos fiber levels.
State officials said if testing confirms no asbestos-containing materials are present, businesses could reopen and mold and water damage remediation could begin.
However, if asbestos-containing materials are found, the material would need to be removed by a licensed abatement firm before additional cleanup and repairs could proceed.
KDHE officials emphasized that until testing is complete, the situation must be treated as though an asbestos hazard exists.