Roofs collapsing under the weight of heavy snow in Buffalo

Thursday, November 20, 2014, 5:34 PM - Roofs are buckling under the weight of the snow across the Buffalo area following an historic storm that dumped more than 1.5 metres on some places.

More than 30 people have been evacuated from several mobile home parks in Cheektowaga after roofs became unstable.

According to Bellevue Fire Department Lt. Timothy Roma, more than a dozen buildings have collapsed as well as a metal warehouse, causing millions of dollars in damage.

Meanwhile, state troopers have been busy rescuing elderly citizens trapped inside their homes and national Guardsman have been chauffeuring nurses to hospital shifts. 

RELATED: Rain to complicate clean-up efforts in Buffalo

Home and business owners have been spotted on rooftops trying to remove snow from their properties ahead of a warm-up and rainfall that could complicate matters further for the winter-weary city.

Rain could bog down the snow, making it heavy and difficult to move.

While there isn't much rain accumulation expected -- about 10-15 mm total -- it could cause problems for hard-hit areas.

"The snow will likely absorb a lot of the rain, and that will make it heavy and difficult to move," says Weather Network meteorologist Erin Wenckstern. 

"The added weight could be strong enough to damage additional roofs, eavestroughs and cars."

A few days later temperatures will fall, threatening to freeze over what's left of the precipitation.