After concerns that the Surfside building was at risk of collapsing, the Surfside crews were unable to operate in certain areas and the crews below, the Surfside team decided to demolish it.
At a Sunday news conference, Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade County Mayor, stated that “our top priority is that this building be down as soon and safely as possible.” “It is crucial to expand the scope of our search and rescue effort by bringing down this building in a controlled way.”
Eighty percent had been completed by Sunday morning and the remaining structure could be down that night, Miami Dade Assistant Fire Chief Raidejadallah informed relatives of those who were missing in the fall.
Families eager to restart the search praised this timeline, which was faster than originally expected. Since the initial hours of the June 24th collapse, no one has been saved alive.
Since Saturday afternoon, the search at Surfside has been suspended to allow workers to begin drilling. Jadallah stated that the drilling could lead to the structure’s collapse, but a relative could be heard calling the news “devastating”.
Rescuers have so far recovered the remains and information from 24 people. 121 are still missing. On Saturday night, the Miami-Dade Police Department added Gonzalo Torre (81), and Graciela Cattarossi (48) to the list.
Jadallah stated that the debris will be removed as soon as the structure has been demolished. This will allow rescuers to gain access to the areas of the garage that are of particular interest. This could provide a better picture of the rubble’s voids and possibly shelter survivors.
Officials started to consider the demolition of Champlain Towers Thursday after parts of the building moved, posing danger for rescuers. They also had to suspend their work for 15 hours.
With forecasts indicating strong winds could arrive in the area by Monday, Tropical Storm Elsa is putting more urgency into those plans. Although the storm has moved westward in the latest forecasts, sparing South Florida, Robert Molleda, National Hurricane Center meteorologist, said that the area could still feel the effects of the storm starting Monday.
Molleda stated that “primarily tropical storm force gusts” is what Molleda meant, which refers to gusts exceeding 40 miles an hour (64 km/h).
Jadallah stated that the detonation will cause the remaining building to fall straight towards the street and away from the debris pile. He stated that search-and-rescue operations should resume within 15 to 60 minutes of the structure’s destruction.
Energetic falling is a method that uses small detonation devices to destroy buildings and relies on gravity. Levine Cava stated that this method brings down the building and confines the collapse to its immediate surroundings.
The buildings immediately north and south from the collapsed structure will not be permitted to be occupied by anyone. Levine Cava advised residents to remain indoors during demolition, and to close all windows and doors that might allow dust in.
Multiple officials confirmed that tragedy continues during July 4th holiday.
Levine Cava stated, “This Independence Day is not like any other we have ever experienced.”
She added that patriotism doesn’t mean loyalty to one country. It’s about loyalty one another, to our communities, and to those in need whose stories or names we may never know, but to whom compassion and resilience connect us.
