photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

The Clinton Marina experienced damage from Wednesday's 70 mph wind gusts. The marina is pictured on Friday, August 2, 2024.

The Clinton Marina received significant damage after being hit with wind gusts that reached 70 mph during the storm on Wednesday evening, and it will be closed until further notice.

The storm broke several anchor lines at the marina, causing it to move about 25 feet. It also left the marina, the only one at Clinton State Park, mostly without electricity, fuel, water and sewer services. Peter Meiusi, one of the marina owners, said he doesn’t recall anything ever shifting the marina like this before.

Despite the many repairs that need to be done, Meiusi said the docks themselves remain in good shape, and the staff hopes to repair the marina and make it stronger than before.

“We’re taking this opportunity that when we rebuild all these broken anchor lines, we’re using all stainless steel throughout the marina and using anchor blocks that are about 50% heavier,” he said.

Meiusi said the only part of the marina that still had power was a dock with several banks of solar panels on its roof. He said it was fully functional after the storm, but that it would also remain closed until further notice.

The marina repairs began immediately on Thursday morning, Meiusi said, with its dock builder relocating crews from northeast Arkansas to tackle the job and its electrician assessing the damage and coming up with a game plan.

“We’re working with all of our partners as quickly as we can to get things back into working order and everyone can enjoy the rest of their summer,” Meiusi said.

Additionally, all of the customers’ boats appeared to be secure and on their lifts without any damage; if staff finds any damage, the marina will reach out to those owners.

“The good news is that customers’ boats are safe and our lake community as a whole has been incredibly supportive,” Meiusi said.

Once the repairs are done, Meiusi is confident that the marina won’t have a similar problem again: “If we have a windstorm again, we should be pretty bulletproof.”

The closure won’t stop the marina from holding its final Float Local Friday event of the season, which is in partnership with the Lawrence Humane Society. The event is tonight, Aug. 2, and has been relocated to Overlook Park north of Clinton Lake at 868 North 1402 Road. It will feature live music, food trucks, a bounce house and a dunk tank from 5 to 9 p.m.