Roofs in Maine collapse under weight of rain-sodden snow
The Scarborough Walmart was evacuated Thursday morning
The Scarborough Walmart was evacuated Thursday morning
The Scarborough Walmart was evacuated Thursday morning
Evacuations after concerns of a potential roof collapse shutting down several businesses.
Officials said it was just after 10 a.m. Thursday when a 911 call came into Scarborough police dispatch from the Super Walmart store.
Officials became worried about the structural integrity of the roof considering the snow load, build up and potential shifting that was happening.
Sky-8’s drone captured a bird's eye view of the roof, as fire officials were planning to send structural engineers to evaluate the situation.
Deputy Fire Chief John Brennan said roofs on big box stores are designed to withstand a lot of weight, and include elaborate drainage systems.
Brennan said there was a concern the system may have been overwhelmed by the all the snow and the rain that fell over the last few days.
"Because the closeness of the two snowstorms and the water component that came last night, and this morning's storm certainly added to the weight,” he said.
“Any time you add snow to potential standing water you start to question some of the stability of the structure,” he said.
Officials also confirm the Scarborough Sam's Club, which is under the same ownership as Walmart, was also evacuated as a precaution while the roof there was inspected.
In Topsham, a sports facility collapsed under the weight of the heavy snow. The Dome at the Coast Maine Storm at 20 Atwood Road was completely flat and on the ground.
The owner of the complex said the dome started to collapse about 4 a.m. Thursday and no one was in the facility at the time.
The night before, there were about 30 people there participating in a baseball practice.
The owner said this is the third time in 23 years the dome has come down. He believes this time it is not replaceable due to the age, aside from the $2 million cost to do so.