JUST NOW: Arena roof collapses amid historic snowfall along Alabama Gulf Coast.
A roof collapse at the Alabama Gulf Coast’s premier sports and entertainment venue, the Gulf Shores Arena, has left the region in shock after an unprecedented winter storm. Historic snowfall, which started early this morning, resulted in the roof caving in under the weight of the accumulating snow, causing significant damage to the facility.
The Gulf Shores Arena, a popular venue for concerts, sporting events, and community gatherings, was scheduled to host a high-profile indoor football game this evening. However, with snow accumulation reaching over six inches by mid-morning, safety measures were put in place to ensure the public was not inside when the collapse occurred.
We are incredibly fortunate that no one was injured,” said Alex Martinez, a spokesperson for the Gulf Shores City Council. “The arena was closed for routine maintenance today, and no one was inside when the structure gave way. The situation could have been much worse, but thanks to timely evacuations and the quick thinking of local officials, we avoided a catastrophe.”
Local residents and visitors to the Gulf Coast were left stunned by the rare winter storm, which brought several inches of snow to coastal areas usually known for their warm temperatures and sunny skies. The storm, which began in the early hours of the morning, has broken multiple records for snowfall in Alabama’s coastal region, with Gulf Shores seeing its heaviest snowfall in decades.
We woke up to this white blanket over everything, and then it just kept coming down,” said Megan Taylor, a Gulf Shores resident. We’ve lived here for years, and it’s been a long time since we’ve seen snow like this. No one knew it was going to be this serious.”
The snowstorm quickly overwhelmed the region’s infrastructure, causing widespread power outages, fallen trees, and hazardous driving conditions. City officials have urged residents to stay off the roads, while emergency crews are working to clear major highways and address the damage caused by the storm.
As of 10:00 a.m., more than 4,000 homes in the Gulf Shores area were without power, and the number is expected to rise as the storm progresses. Utility companies are mobilizing to restore power, but crews are facing challenges due to the ongoing snow and ice.
The Gulf Shores Arena roof collapse is believed to be the result of the severe weight of the snow, combined with the facility’s relatively aging infrastructure. The city plans to conduct a full inspection of the site once conditions stabilize and further assess the extent of the damage.
We will work closely with engineers and building experts to determine the exact cause of the collapse and what needs to be done to ensure something like this doesn’t happen again,” said Martinez.
Local schools have been closed for the day as a precaution, with administrators urging parents to keep their children indoors. Despite the dangerous conditions, many residents have ventured outdoors to marvel at the rare snowfall, with photos of snow-covered beaches and palm trees quickly going viral on social media.
For now, the Gulf Coast is bracing for more snow, with additional winter weather expected to continue through the evening. Emergency services are on high alert, and the local authorities are keeping residents updated on the evolving situation.
It’s certainly been a surreal day for us here,” said Mayor John Glover of Gulf Shores. “This kind of weather is almost unheard of, and the collapse at the arena has shaken our community. We are all doing our best to stay safe and support each other through this unprecedented event.”
With recovery efforts underway, the region now faces both the aftermath of the arena collapse and the continued challenge of navigating the severe winter storm.
The domed roof of the Mobile Civic Center collapsed. The city is in the process of demolishing the arena.
A witness said he “heard and felt the ground shake” around the time the roof collapsed.
Based on an initial evaluation of the site, the arena’s roof did collapse in on itself due to the snow load. It fell in a manner that was consistent with the plans for demolition. There were no injuries and the mosaic murals have not been damaged,” Mobile spokesperson Jason Johnson said.Residents Dylan Alidor and Bayleigh Thompson said they had just got back home from walking their dog when the roof collapsed.
We were out walking the dog and when we got back to the house here, we heard the rumbling off from the distance and looked up and you could see a big ole plume of smoke over the civic center,” Alidor said.
There were 7.5 inches of snow sitting on top of the arena roof.
FORSYTH TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WLUC) – UPDATE: The names of the two men killed in Friday’s crash on M-35 in Little Lake have been released.
In a press release Monday morning, the Forsyth Township Police Department said 21-year-old Luke Matthew Kostreva of Negaunee and 37-year-old Jacob Kris Haralson of Gwinn died.
The three Gwinn teens injured in the crash remain hospitalized and are recovering from their injuries.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
