Northern Arizona has blue skies (for now), but long-term risks associated with heavy snowfall remain in Flagstaff. Several roofs in the city have collapsed in the days since the last snowfall.
As of Monday, four homes and one commercial property had roof collapses, City of Flagstaff officials said.
“A residence doesn’t necessarily mean a home. Many of them are garages, separate or attached,” said Sarah Langley, the city’s director of public affairs.
For Continental Country Club resident Doug Gray, his garage collapsed on Friday. He described the collapse as a “violent scene”.
“The garage was destroyed,” said Gray. “The garage wall adjacent to the kitchen was also destroyed. The fire department said that wall was mostly charred.”
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Built in the mid-1980s, the home is Gray’s primary residence, but he spent the winter in Phoenix. He said he was aware of the dangers of snow accumulation in Flagstaff, including the possibility of ice dams, and had started arranging for snowplows, but had to wait for the final storm to pass.
“I was going to call him that morning,” said Gray.
Thankfully, Gray said no one was hurt. That damage may have made the cost of the accident even worse. At present, Gray isn’t sure what the total cost to fix his home will be, but he hopes the homeowner’s insurance will play a large part.
According to National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist Brian Klimowski, snow mass weighs about 5 pounds per square foot for every inch of liquid.
“In this last storm, we had about two inches of liquid, possibly an additional 10 pounds per square foot from much of the snow that fell earlier in this cycle,” Klimowski said. increase. “And maybe even because of the snow that fell in January.”
Klimowski recommends that anyone unsure about the structural integrity of their roof should always deal with accumulated snow. The NWS forecast calls for normal temperatures that are likely to help with the snowmelt, but there is a slim chance of precipitation on Saturday.
The city and Coconino County have also established a joint information line to assist those who are burdened under the snow on their roofs. Residents who exhibit signs of excessive strain on their roof, such as excessive puddles on points, can receive helpful information by calling 928-679-8525.
