As El Niño storms pummeled San Diego County Wednesday night, the heavy rainfall caused the roof of a Goodwill store and donation center to collapse in Escondido, sending water rushing into the business.
The Escondido Police Department said the store in the 500 block of West Washington Avenue sustained heavy damage from the storm at around 11:30 p.m. when the roof gave out.
Police said the roof of the building was flat and simply couldn’t hold the weight of all the rainfall that had pooled atop the thrift store.
As the roof caved in, chunks of the building flew into the store, the rain soaking the floor, clothing and merchandise inside.
Police said no one was injured in the incident.
The store was closed Thursday as efforts were under way to repair the damages, Darlene Cossio, director of communications for Goodwill Industries of San Diego County, told NBC 7.
At this point, Cossio said it is unknown when the Escondido store will reopen, but plans are being made to get the location up and running as soon as possible.
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For now, amid the location’s temporary closure, Cossio said patrons can shop at other Goodwill stores and also donate items to replace the merchandise damaged in the roof collapse at the following Goodwill locations:
Goodwill Donation Storefront (Felicita)
1815A So. Centre City Parkway
Goodwill Retail Store (Vista)
1056 East Vista Way
Goodwill Retail Store (Rancho Bernardo)
15703 Bernardo Heights Parkway
Goodwill Bookstore (San Marcos)
685 South Rancho Santa Fe Road
Patrons can also visit the San Diego Goodwill website to find other locations in their area.
