A condo in Surfside, Florida gave way unexpectedly, killing at least 9 people while devastating hundreds of viewers and families alike. The failed building was 13 stories, with 136 units inside. Authoritative totals claim that close to half of the units were destroyed by the fall. The relatively quiet city became the week’s biggest news story, as reported by CNN, the New York Times, and others. The city is now making local governments question how safe older buildings are, and if there are other structures in unstable conditions.
Those able to make it out alive said that the Champlain Towers South building began shaking at around 1:30 am, on the day of Thursday, June 24th. Meanwhile, the residents of the nearby sister building, Champlain Towers North, were asked to remain calm and continue living their daily lives. Safety officials claimed that the other condo was in a safe condition, with no concerns as of late. The south tower was created in 1981, with the north tower reportedly created just a year later, in 1982. The tensions and confusion is through the roof currently.
People living in the North building are proceeding to live with great caution, and some have even evacuated the building, afraid that their building will be the next to fall without warning.
While the cause of the crumpled building is unknown and still under heavy investigation, other cities throughout the city of Florida have made it their mission to investigate infrastructure over the age of forty. The populous city of Miami has asked its condo associations to inspect buildings 6 stories or higher, and constructed before the year 1982, and send reports back in just 45 days. Surfside has recently implemented an emergency state on themselves, a responsible move to do considering the horrific events that happened. Meanwhile, Boca Raton is pledging to create harsher, stricter laws regarding the safety of infrastructure in the city. From this tragedy, Florida and America must be responsible for putting their citizens’ protections ahead more than anything.
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/06/27/us/building-collapse-miami-beach
https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/miami-florida-building-collapse-06-27-21-intl/index.html
Image Credits: Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP
