First Look: Stadium Storm Damage Revealed

INDIANAPOLIS -- Lucas Oil Stadium will be ready to open as planned despite recent water damage, stadium officials said Tuesday.

For the first time, cameras were allowed inside the stadium to see the damage caused by two recent rainstorms, 6News' Norman Cox reported.

Three drains broke during the first storm and then two of those drains busted again during the second storm Friday night, officials said.

The water that leaked inside ruined ceiling tiles and carpeting, but officials said the biggest problem was soaking electrical bus ducts -- a form of conduit -- which knocked out permanent power to the southwestern corner of the stadium.

"We're in the process of tearing out all the bus duct. The new bus duct, that's going to start showing up this week, the second load next week," said Bob May of Hunt Construction Group. "By early August, we will have all the permanent power restored in this part of the building."

The water also destroyed control mechanisms for two elevators, forcing builders to send away for replacement parts, officials said.

Now crews are taking steps to reinforce vulnerable areas so more water can't get in.

"We've had the plumbers double-brace every joint and fitting and put them back together, and we're monitoring it on a daily basis," said Stadium Authority Director John Klipsch.

There is still no total cost estimate on the damage, Klipsch said, but he said he expects most of it will be covered by insurance.