Heavy rain caused part of the roof at a BJ’s Wholesale Club in New Jersey to collapse on Monday, forcing emergency crews to respond after two people became temporarily trapped inside the building.
The incident happened at about 11:16 a.m. at the store in Oakhurst, located in Ocean Township. Police officers, sheriff’s deputies, firefighters, and emergency medical teams rushed to the scene after receiving reports of the partial roof collapse.
According to local authorities, 27 people were inside the store when part of the ceiling gave way during the severe weather. Two people became partially trapped beneath the fallen structure but were able to free themselves before emergency crews reached them. Both safely exited the building.
Officials said no injuries were reported following the incident. Emergency responders searched the building to make sure everyone had been safely evacuated.
Videos shared on social media showed large amounts of rainwater pouring through the damaged roof and flooding parts of the store. Water covered sections of the floor as the intense rainfall continued across the region.
Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden praised the work of first responders who handled the emergency while severe weather affected many nearby communities.
He said the incident showed how quickly dangerous conditions can develop during major storms. Golden also thanked police officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and other agencies for working together to ensure everyone inside the store was safely accounted for.
Authorities have not announced the exact cause of the roof collapse. However, officials said the incident occurred during heavy rainfall that affected much of New Jersey and neighboring states.
Representatives for BJ’s Wholesale Club did not immediately comment on the incident. The store’s corporate headquarters is located in Marlborough, Massachusetts.
The severe weather stretched across much of the Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast on Monday. More than 60 million people were under flood watches as slow-moving storms brought intense rainfall to the region.
Several communities received more than three inches of rain within 24 hours. Nearby Philadelphia recorded about 3.22 inches of rainfall, while Cherry Hill received approximately 3.60 inches. Oceanport reported around 3.51 inches, and Cream Ridge recorded about 3.14 inches during the same period.
The heavy rain caused flooding on roads, in neighborhoods, and inside some buildings. Emergency officials urged residents to avoid flooded streets and remain alert as additional rain moved through the area.
Meteorologists warned that saturated ground and overflowing drainage systems increased the risk of flash flooding. Drivers were advised not to travel through flooded roads because water levels can rise quickly and create dangerous conditions.
Building inspectors are expected to examine the damaged store to determine the extent of the structural damage and identify what caused the roof to fail. The store is expected to remain closed until safety inspections are completed.
Officials continue to monitor weather conditions across the Northeast as recovery efforts move forward. While the roof collapse caused significant damage to the building, authorities confirmed that every person inside the store escaped safely, preventing what could have become a far more serious emergency.
