Gov. Malloy urges clearing of snow-covered school roofs

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy on Monday urged the clearing of flat, snow-covered school roofs and drains, warning that rain and ice could add weight to structures already handling snow from the blizzard.

Weather forecasters say freezing rain Monday may make rooftop snow heavier. Malloy said the state has been calling school superintendents to warn them.

"We're going to pound away at superintendents to make sure their maintenance people are up on those school roofs clearing drains and then watching the structure itself," Malloy said.

Asked about the level of risk, Malloy said, "I think it's a big risk."

Malloy said there have been about six roof collapses so far involving barns and other structures, but not schools. He wasn't aware of any injuries.

The governor said the state is helping municipalities get equipment such as pay loaders and massive snow blowers and is releasing state contractors to help local towns. He said municipalities don't have the equipment to handle so much snow, citing drifts that are 10 feet high.

"This is a historic storm," Malloy said. "We had historic levels of snow in every one of our counties."

Malloy could not say yet how much the storm would cost. "A lot," he said.

Most schools and colleges in Connecticut are closed and nonessential state workers are staying home as plow crews continue to clear highways and local streets two days after the epic storm, which dumped up to 3 feet of snow on New England and claimed at least 15 lives in the U.S. and Canada.

National Guard Humvees have been set up as ambulances to transport sick and injured people, Malloy said.