WATCH: School gym roof collapses under 350 tons of snow

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A recent snowstorm that pummeled parts of Oregon caused the roof at a high school gym to collapse under the weight of about 700,000 pounds of snow, school officials said.

Last Friday, a crack was discovered in one of the tresses at the gym of North Medford High School, which was immediately evacuated and cordoned off, according to the school district. Almost immediately, firefighters and engineers began trying to lighten the snow load from the roof.

But shortly before 11 a.m. Tuesday, school officials said "several beams broke under the weight of the snow." The beams then collapsed.

Students were not in any danger at the time and no one was hurt, officials said.

School was canceled Wednesday while experts "assess the safety of the perimeter around the gym and develop contingency plans if certain areas remain inaccessible," officials said.

Initial indications show that this incident was not the result of an engineering failure, according to the school district. The gym has been in use for 60 years, officials added.

Other large buildings in the district "have been thoroughly inspected and are safe for continued use. There are no signs of structural damage" to any other building, they said.

Officials said, too, that a "recent seismic upgrade" to help the building better withstand earthquakes "played a crucial role in preventing a full structural collapse. The reinforced walls remain standing, which minimized the extent of the damage."

"We understand this has been a stressful day for our students, staff, and families," school officials wrote in a statement posted on their website. "We are incredibly grateful to everyone who responded with care and professionalism. Thank you to our teachers & staff for keeping students calm and safe, our facilities team for their tireless efforts to prevent further damage, and our partners at the City of Medford and Medford Fire for their swift support."

An assessment of the gym's roof is scheduled when the structure is secured and "it is safe to do so," the school district wrote on Facebook.