Henderson Building Group

Why Snow in the Southeast is a bigger deal than it looks!
Snow isn’t usually a problem here, but when it comes in big storms, the danger isn’t the 10–12 inches that fall evenly — it’s the drifts. Wind pushes snow into corners, step-down roofs, canopies, and flat walk-out roofs, creating piles that can be several times heavier than the snowfall itself.

As those drifts melt and refreeze, they get even denser. That extra weight can cause bending, bowing, or even failure of roof members, especially on buildings under construction where the roof is cold from both sides and not fully braced.
What you can do:
Clear drifts over 18 inches if you can do it safely.

Use shovels or roof rakes, not ice melt — it can damage roofing materials.