Heavy snow causes small building collapse, precautionary closures

  • Published
  • By Debbie Aragon
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  The recent 11.5 inches of snow fall coupled with the 11 inches of snow from a previous storm caused a small building attached to the Offutt Field House to collapse Dec. 26 prompting base officials to temporary close the field house as a precaution.

Offutt Deputy Civil Engineer Ed Lueninghoener, Offutt Deputy Fire Chief Jim Lencke and other representatives from the 55th Civil Engineer Squadron gathered at the field house early Dec. 28 to assess the damage to field house and the other outbuildings.

During the inspection of the field house, no internal damage was found so base officials reopened the fitness facility.

Concern remains however for the remaining lean-tos on the eastern side of the field house due to the snow loading, Mr. Lueninghoener said, and they won't be considered safe until the majority of the snow on their roof is gone.

"We're concerned about the health and wellness center and the mobility center (and passenger terminal) right now," Mr. Lencke said. "These buildings appear to be built in the same way as the building that collapsed so we're closing these buildings as a precaution."

Officials are hoping the sun will warm the snow on the roofs of the outbuildings so some will slide off, Mr. Lueninghoener said. They are also looking at other means to remove the snow, he added, but haven't set a time table for reentry into the remaining lean-tos.

The collapsed building was a fire extinguisher storage building used by the base fire department.

At this time it appears no other Offutt buildings have sustained damage Mr. Lencke said but officials are still evaluating the situation.

"We have no indications of other damage as yet," Mr. Lueninghoener added, "but as workers go back into facilities problems may be found."

He said he also expect problems once the snow starts to melt because of issues such as plugged roof drains, ice dams and other leaks that will develop.

With such a large amount of snow on roofs, Mr. Lueninghoener advised people to be aware that as snow warms, it may start to slide off the roofs of buildings.

"Try to avoid walking under the fall area of snow coming off a roof, and don't park your vehicle in the potential fall area," he added.