Officials Warn Of Roof Collapse Dangers

The Massachsetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) released a Public Saftey Advisory on potential roof collapses. The advisory outlines the dangers associated with heavy snow loads on roofs.

Over two weeks ago, a collapsed garage roof in Lynn, Massachusetts, which officials said to be caused from build up of heavy snow, seemed to set off a chain reaction. In the past 36 hours, over 90 roofs have collapsed throughout the state of Massachusetts.

In the neighboring town of Easton, the building that houses and Sunco Cabinets on 35 Eastman Street, fell to the ground on Wednesday as a result of snow build-up on the roof.

MEMA states in their guidelines that heavy snow piled on roofs "can act as a sponge, absorbing any additional rain and sleet, causing extra weight and stress to be added."

The risks posed by accumulated snow on roofs can be downgraded by safely removing snow from roofs. A roof rake is one way to safely remove snow and can be found in your local hardware store, Home Depot or Lowes.

If you choose to hire a roof contractor, make sure they are insured first. Residents may be liable for injury that occurs to a contractor when working if they are not properly insured.

According to the National Weather Service, temperatures are expected to remain cold throughout the weekend and more snow could enter the area Saturday and early next week.

Safety officials are recommending to clear off your rooftops as soon as possible in order to minimize the chances of a collapse or structural damage.

Warning signs can include but are not limited to:

• Sagging roofs
• Creaking, cracking or popping noises
• Roof leaks
• Cracks in walls 

Detailed information pertaining to roof collapse and storm drain safety can be found on MEMA's website.