The Minneapolis Metrodome roof collapsed this morning at around 5:00.
This blizzard is a nightmare.
The inflatable roof of the Minnesota Vikings' stadium collapsed Sunday and roads were closed throughout the upper Midwest as a storm that dumped nearly 2 feet of snow in some areas crawled across the region.
A blizzard warning was in effect for parts of eastern Iowa, southeastern Wisconsin, northwestern Illinois, and northern Michigan, according to the National Weather Service. Surrounding areas including Chicago were under winter storm warnings.
The Metrodome's Teflon roof collapsed after Minneapolis got more than 17 inches of snow. No injuries were reported. The snowfall that ended Saturday night was one of the five biggest in Twin Cities history, National Weather Service meteorologist James McQuirter said. Some surrounding communities got more than 21 inches of snow, he said.
Interstate 90 from Albert Lea to the South Dakota border and state highways remained closed. Plows that had been pulled off the roads Saturday began work at 4 a.m. Sunday but were struggling with drifts as high as 5 feet, Minnesota Department of Transportation spokeswoman Rebecca Arndt said. Plow drivers also were hampered by a large number of stalled cars.
...Although roads were open in Wisconsin, state officials urged drivers to stay home because blowing snow severely limited visibility. Tod Pritchard, a spokesman for Wisconsin Emergency Management, said travel was expected to become even more difficult in the afternoon because temperatures were falling and at a certain point, road salt would no longer be effective.
"We're really urging everyone to stay off the roads today and stay hunkered down at home," Pritchard said.
The storm had already dropped up to 18 inches of snow in parts of northern and central Wisconsin, he said, and light snow continued Sunday morning.
Not true, AP. Lots of roads were impassable in Wisconsin, including a huge section of I-94.
Watch the incredible video of the roof collapse.
The Vikings-Giants game scheduled for today will be played in Detroit tomorrow.
More information on the rescheduling, tickets, and the roof collapse, from the Star Tribune:
The NFL says kickoff will be Monday night at 7:20 p.m. Eastern time, or 6:20 p.m. Central time.
The Vikings said that any ticket holders to the original Vikings-Giants game who make it to Detroit will be admitted and given preferred seating along the 50-yard line.
Those who can't make it to the game will get a full refund for their tickets. In Detroit, fans will get in free with general admission seating at Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions.
The 9.5-acre Metrodome roof tore in three places shortly after 5 a.m., said Roy Terwilliger, head of the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission.
Aerial photos show the roof tore in two places in the center and one near the edge of the roof.
The Vikings have been pushing for a new stadium for years without success. So far today, they have been silent on what this collapse means for their stadium wishes, perhaps deciding the best strategy is to let the event speak for itself.
With the storm dumping nearly two feet on parts of the Twin Cities, the snow was accumulating on the Metrodome roof Saturday night.
"It was an extraordinary situation involving Mother Nature that the Dome's roof couldn't handle," Terwilliger said.
He said normal procedures were being followed Saturday, with workers on the roof itself using steam and hot water to melt and remove snow. Also, the heat inside the Dome was turned up and hot air was pumped into the in-between layers.
"That didn't work," Terwilliger said.
"Then it got dangerous for personnel up on the roof and we decided for the sake of safety to take them off," he said.
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