The potential impact of hurricane winds on search and rescue operations in the collapsed Surfside, Florida condominium could cause the building structure to collapse further, civil engineer Richard Slider warned on Friday.
“These systems, or the concrete supports and slabs that exist now, are already unstable to a certain extent,” Slider said in an interview with CNBC “The News with Shepard Smith”. “Obviously, having wind act on it when it comes into the area adds another level of impact and possibly a greater ability for the structure to collapse further.”
Elsa grew up in the Caribbean for the first hurricane of the season. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Friday expressed concerns that the storm could hit South Florida and threaten to halt bailouts and potentially collapse parts of the building that have not yet collapsed.
“It is possible that [Surfside] The area may see tropical gale force winds, “DeSantis said.” Our emergency management department anticipates this will happen and is making the necessary preparations to protect much of the equipment. You could possibly host an event with the building as well. “
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said at a press conference Friday night that she had signed an emergency ordinance authorizing the demolition of the partially collapsed 12-story apartment building.
Slider said he agreed to demolish the remains of the building and that it was impractical to repair the remains of the building.
“One of the problems we have in Florida is of course hurricanes, the windows and doors need to be updated,” said Slider, president of the Slider Engineering Group Structural and Forensic Engineering. “If you did decide to have a repair, which I don’t think is a viable option, you’d have to upgrade, and when you’re done with it I don’t think it’s economically feasible.”
By Friday evening, 22 people have been confirmed dead and 126 more remain missing.