Many people had many different opinions and reactions about the snowstorm of early 2003. Students all over the region where excited about school closings and delays. Faculty and staff where relieved that they got an extra day off of work due to job closings. Those who commute for work snarled about traffic, while unplowed neighborhoods where anxious to get out of the record-breaking snowstorm. However, the snowstorm caused more damage then most anticipated. Flooding of neighborhoods, major roads and intersections, and the roofs of several stores and businesses collapsed all due to the heavy rain and inches of snow.
             The roof of the Lanham Toys-R-Us came down with a loud "bang" during late morning. Two victims taken by the roof collapse included an elderly woman and a three-year-old boy. They where both rushed to a near by hospital where the boy was treated for cuts and bruises. However, the elderly woman sustained one of the more serious injuries, and was treated for a concussion. Fortunately, after extensive hours of searching, officials announced that all of the victims of the roof collapse have been accounted for. "At the Lanham toy store, the roof gave way in late morning, with the debris injuring a 3-year-old boy and other customers and employees."
             According to Richard E. Weirs, who is a professor of structural engineering at Virginia Tech University, "Snow acts like a sponge for ice and water after several days. It clogs up drains and focuses all the weight on sensitive parts of the roof... Six inches of standing water weighs thirty-one pounds per square foot and can quickly exceed the roof's weight capacity." Ultimately, the end result will be that the snow will begin to melt at a swift rate. Combined, the weight of melted snow and water will surpass the maximum weight that a roof can withhold.
             Aside from the Toys-R-Us collapse in Prince George's County, numerous
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