Employees, officials and citizens were evacuated out of the Columbus Government Center.

The evacuation occurred around 10:35 a.m. on Friday, March 13, 2026. Columbus Fire and EMS, the Columbus Police Department, the Columbus State University Police Department and the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman said there was an oder of smoke coming from the elevators leading to the evacuation.

“They believe it may have been one of the motors on top of the Government Center,” Countryman said.

Employees, officials and citizens were able to return shortly after.