Seven Days Later and 147 Still Missing in Surfside Disaster
A week into the Surfside condo search and rescue and only 16 bodies have been discovered with 147 still missing. Rescuers have had to search through tons of concrete rubble while fighting inclement weather that is forecasted to worsen as the week goes on.
Despite all the challenges of finding survivors "I can tell you that none of us have lost hope," Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Capt. Eddy Alarcon said. Searchers will keep, "hammering away and cutting away in hopes that we can find somebody," he said. "We're always praying for somebody to be alive, but at the very least it gives some closure to the families waiting to hear from their loved ones."
More and more evidence is pointing to the collapse having initiated in the lower reaches of the condo complex in and around the parking garage. A report from 2018 may have predicted the impending disaster:
"Abundant cracking and spalling of various degrees was observed in the concrete columns, beams and walls," the report said. "Several sizeable spalls were noted in both the topside of the entrance drive ramp and underside of the pool/entrance drive/planter slabs, which included instances with exposed, deteriorating rebar. Though some of this damage is minor, most of the concrete deterioration needs to be repaired in a timely fashion."
The report went on to say, "the waterproofing below the pool deck and entrance drive was failing and causing "major structural damage,"
60 Fema personnel are on site with more on the way according to a White House official. 100s of rescuers, some from overseas have been working tirelessly since last Wednesday.
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