Ocean Twp. BJ's Where Roof Collapsed Reopens

OCEAN TOWNSHIP, NJ — The BJ's wholesale club in Ocean Township — where the roof partially collapsed during a torrential downpour in July — reopened for business Tuesday.

"In case you missed the notice … BJs Wholesale Club is now OPEN!!!," said Ocean Twp. Mayor John Napolitani. "It looks fantastic and fully stocked! Thank you to everyone involved getting this open."

This is the BJ's on Rt. 35 in Ocean Township. Part of the roof collapsed during a very heavy rainstorm just before 11:16 a.m. July 6, the same day very bad flash flooding happened along Rt. 35 in Ocean, and the same day Wesley Lake overflowed in Asbury Park. Security footage published by Shlomo Schorr shows the moment the roof collapsed.

See Video Of BJ's Roof Collapse In Monmouth County (July 6)

Wesley Lake In Asbury Park Floods Its Banks (July 6)

There were a total of 27 people, customers and employees, inside the BJ's at the time of the roof collapse. Miraculously, nobody was injured; two people were partially trapped by the debris, but were able to free themselves and get out of the building before first responders got there.

Compounding the issue was the roof hit a natural gas line as it collapsed. JCP&L had to race to the scene, through severe flash flooding on Rt. 35, to cut off power and gas. There were no further injuries.