Heavy snow loads threaten floating northern Idaho homes

Floating homes along Lake Pend Oreille are tilting and sinking as a result of heavy snow loads on roofs.

The Coeur d’Alene Press reported that Mark Streater and others work to rake snow off the rooftops of float homes on Lake Pend Oreille in hopes of keeping the structures out of the water.

Streater says it is a good thing snow in Bayview has abated, as some homes have sunk 6 inches to a foot or lower into the water.

Streater says he was asked to shovel by some of the homeowners who live outside the area. Most of the float homes are uninhabited during winter. He says that if snow accumulates on one side of a roof more than the other, homes can completely tip over.