Shocking details about the partial collapse of a residential building in North Miami Beach, Florida, revealed by The New York Times, indicate that three years ago, a consultant found evidence of "significant structural damage" including the concrete slab beneath the swimming pool, numerous cracks, and corroded columns and walls in the parking garage under the 12-story building. An engineering report for repairs to the "Champlain South Condo," amounting to millions of dollars, was set to begin soon—over two and a half years after building managers issued warnings. However, the building suffered a catastrophic collapse early Thursday, resulting in at least four deaths, 11 injuries, and around 150 others missing.
The details refer to "scary corrosion." The condominium association reported various issues following the collapse, confirming that city officials disclosed a 2018 report late Friday, highlighting the alarming condition of the concrete and rebar in the building which had deteriorated significantly due to years of exposure to corrosive sea air along South Florida's coast.
Photos released by The New York Times reveal the damage in the collapsed building since 2018. Consultant Frank Morabito wrote about the damage at the base of the 40-year-old residential structure in his report from October 2018, where he did not indicate that the structure was at risk of collapse, noting that necessary repairs aimed to "maintain the structural integrity of the building and its 136 units."
Kenneth S. Direktor, the lawyer representing the resident-led association managing the building, stated this week that repairs had started based on comprehensive plans developed this year. In an interview with the newspaper, he explained, "They were about to begin that," adding that the process could have been handled very differently if the owners had any indication that the corrosion and collapse—relatively common issues in many coastal areas—posed a serious threat. However, a state commissioner said that the cause of the collapse is unknown, noting that the problems identified by the engineer in the 2018 report may have contributed to the partial collapse of the condominium.
Meanwhile, authorities in Florida confirmed the ongoing search for victims under the rubble of the collapsed building. They stated, "We will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the causes of the incident, and we will review safety procedures in all buildings."
U.S. President Joe Biden declared a state of emergency in Florida on Friday and contacted the state governor to offer assistance. In a phone call, Biden ordered federal aid for rescue efforts, and the White House stated that the president had authorized the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate all disaster relief efforts aimed at alleviating the suffering caused by the emergencies to local residents and providing appropriate assistance for required emergency measures.
