South Sound News

Heavy, wet snow causes roofs to collapse

The aftermath of heavy, wet snow is causing problems in the South Sound and beyond.

The Verizon store in Lacey is closed because of a partial roof collapse late Monday night, and when firefighters arrived, they realized the building was unsafe.

Snow also collapsed the roof of a water storage structure at Everett's water filtration plant on Tuesday morning. While officials said there is no risk to public help they are providing updates to customers here.

Firefighters said the snow is what collapsed the roof at an Auto Zone on Evergreen Way on Tuesday.

The weight of wet snow also brought down a carport in Titlow Park in Tacoma, which crashed onto a woman's car.

Charity Clemons said she was headed to work Monday when she realized her car was under a huge mess.

“I'm just like in disbelief --but I understand it -- I'm from Buffalo, so I know snow. I know it's heavy, so I'm not mad about it,” said Clemons.

In Parkland Tuesday, the ceiling of Pacific Liquor began to buckle in one spot.

The incidents underline that rain-soaked snow, or simply too much snow, can create hazards.

Heavy wet snow also collapsed a roof in Sequim, where about two feet of snow fell.

Firefighters said they found an 85-year-old man with his leg pinned under the roof.

He was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle and is expected to recover.

Other buildings with flat roofs caused problems for Lacey firefighters. Crews there dealt with roof collapse dangers at a restaurant and two churches overnight.

Those buildings are still safe, but as rain and snow continues, so could the risks.