Section of Roof Collapses at Marian Shrine

No one injured in latest damage from heavy snow loads

BY BILL DEMAREST

NORTH ROCKLAND – The Marian Shrine is among the victims of this winter’s fierce weather, which has left tons of thick-packed snow on the roofs of homes and buildings throughout Rockland County.

A section of roof at Marian Shrine has collapsed, doing extensive damage to part of the complex. However, no one was reported injured in the collapse.

The Retreat House at Marian Shrine, 174 Filors Lane, Stony Point, caters to more than 20,000 children, young adults and adults in retreat ministry.

The collapse is one of a series of collapses in Rockland County since Thursday:
– West Rock sports and entertainment in Bardonia
– Stop & Shop in Garnerville
– A warehouse in Congers
– A small garage in Congers

In nearby New Jersey, more than a dozen collapses in a variety of buildings were reported in the northern part of the state.

As Thursday’s snow storm hit, Rockland County officials issues an alert that homeowners and businesses should watch for problems that could indicate a possible roof collapse from heavy snow loads – especially with buildings that have flat roofs.

Harold Straut, a Clarkstown fire inspector who is also chairman of the Nanuet Fire District, said that since the building collapses in Bardonia and Congers he has seen crews working on many buildings in the area with flat roofs – shoveling snow off those roofs as a precaution.

Originally published by Nyack Free Press, republished with permission