At least several hundred boats were damaged when roofs at six marinas on Norris Lake in Tennessee collapsed over their slips yesterday as snow and ice coated sections of the state.
Many private boathouses also were damaged because of the weight of ice. No injuries have been reported at any of the sites, Jay Muncy, Campbell County Emergency Management Agency director, told the Knoxville News Sentinel.
The exact number of damaged boats won’t be known until later in the week after the roads have cleared, Muncy said.
Commercial pilot Jim Owen said he lost one of his two boats when the roof of one of the docks at Beach Island Resort and Marina collapsed. Owen estimated that 50 other boats were damaged in the collapse, or 30 percent of the boats under cover. Owen bought his boat in October, but had yet to take it out on the water.
“Beach Island Marina is a great place with an awesome staff, and we are so glad that no one was injured,” Owen said.
The excess weight of snow and ice collapsed roofs indiscriminately.
“Some are brand-new docks just put out last year,” Muncy said.
Chuck Samples, owner of the Indian River Marina in Jacksboro, Tennessee, said he had $500,000 damage. About 45 boats were damaged. Repairs could take two to three months, Samples said.
“We will make sure we are rebuilt in time to make sure it does not have a negative impact on business,” Samples said.
This post originally appeared here.
