The attack initially compromised the county’s systems shortly after midnight July 9.
The local disaster declaration will be in effect for seven days.
All offices in the Clay County Courthouse remain closed as the county continues to deals with a ransomware attack, county commissioners have said. County offices outside the courthouse are open. The Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the dispatch center are operating.
This closure includes all legal proceedings and all services at the prosecutor’s office and both the Circuit and Superior Courts. Anyone with a scheduled court date should call the court in which the matter is scheduled between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday. The county plans to make another announcement on Friday if the courts must remain closed Monday.
DISASTER DECLARATION
The local disaster declaration reads:
Whereas Clay County, Indiana has been impacted by a significant disruption in services as a result of a criminal ransomware attack.
Now, therefore, we, the Clay County Board of Commissioners, declare that a local disaster emergency exists in the county and that we hereby invoke and declare those portions of the Indiana Code which are applicable to the conditions and have caused the issuance of this proclamation, to be in full force and effect in the county for the exercise of all necessary emergency authority for protection of the lives and property of the lives and property of the people of Clay County and the restoration of the local government with a minimum of interruption.
Reference is hereby made to all appropriate laws, statutes, ordinances, and resolutions, and particularly to section 10-14-3-29 of the Indiana Code.
All public offices and employees of Clay County are hereby directed to exercise the utmost diligence in the discharge of duties required of them for the duration of the emergency and in the execution of emergency and in the execution of emergency laws, regulations, and directives---state and local.
All agencies involved will cooperate with the Clay County Emergency Management Agency to reach our goals.
All citizens are called upon and directed to comply with necessary emergency measures, to cooperate with public officials and disaster service forces in executing emergency operations plans, and to obey and comply with the lawful directions of properly identified officers.
The Clay County Emergency Management Director and their designees are authorized to activate and furnish aid and assistance to the residents of Clay County as needed.
All operating forces will direct their communications and requests for assistance and operations directly to the Clay County Emergency Operating Center.
This Declaration shall be in force for a period not to exceed seven (7) days from the date hereof.
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