News - Intense rain causes roof collapse at New Jersey wholesale store

In Ocean Township, New Jersey, the roof of a BJ's Wholesale Club partially collapsed amid heavy rainfall on Monday, briefly trapping two individuals who emerged unharmed. Authorities reported that no one was injured in the incident, which was captured on the store's security cameras, showing the roof caving in near the bakery section and flooding the interior with water. An investigation is underway into the circumstances surrounding the collapse. Emergency services received calls around 11:16 a.m. ET regarding the structural failure. At the time, 27 people were inside the store, including the two who became entrapped but managed to free themselves and evacuate safely. Local authorities coordinated a thorough search involving drones and K-9 teams to ensure no one was left inside. The incident coincided with a severe weather system hitting the area, resulting in "extreme flooding," according to the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office. The area saw up to six inches of rain over 24 hours, with significant downpour occurring Monday morning. Sheriff Shaun Golden expressed the importance of remaining vigilant during severe weather, praising the first responders' swift actions under challenging conditions. "This incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of severe weather," he noted. Local officials, including Monmouth County Commissioner Director Thomas Arnone, applauded the timely response by emergency agencies and advised residents to stay informed about potential flash flooding or storm-related dangers. Though the intense rain had subsided by the afternoon, more rain was expected throughout the evening, with a flood watch in effect until 8 p.m. ET, as reported by the National Weather Service. ABC News reached out to BJ's Wholesale Club for further comments on the situation.