Residents forced to evacuate Clearwater condo allowed to retrieve belongings
Share this @internewscast.com

Above video: Lawmakers pass condo reform bill amid growing safety concerns.

CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) — After nearly a week of uncertainty, some residents are finally able to return to their homes following an evacuation from a Clearwater condominium due to structural issues.

On Monday night, residents of The South Beach III Condominiums on Gulf Boulevard were informed through a notice that they could go back to their units “effective immediately.”

While many residents got the go-ahead to return, those residing on stacks 4-5 still have to wait, as officials pointed out that these units are directly above the support column that initially raised the alarm.

Sixty people were forced to evacuate from the 12-story building on May 6 after engineers found the column splitting in the first-floor parking structure.

Residents — some of whom left with only the clothes of their backs — were given 15 minutes to retrieve their belongings as crews continued to work to stabilize the building over the weekend.

The condo association said Monday it could be an additional week before residents are allowed to return to units on stacks 4-5, and an additional emergency access plan is being considered.

Those who were returning to their units Monday night were asked to abide by a set of restrictions. Some of those restrictions included maximum occupancy limits, designated parking areas and no deliveries over 75 pounds.

“This has been a long process,” the condo association wrote in the notice. “While residents may be excited to re-enter their units, adherence to these instructions is imperative to the safety of all our residents.”

Officials said contractors will be frequently inspecting the temporary safety shoring apparatuses that were installed, and there will likely be tightening and other adjustments — all of which is “normal and expected.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Tragic Shooting in Slavic Village Leaves 2 Dead, 2 Injured

[Watch Cleveland’s homicide statistics in the video above.] CLEVELAND (WJW) — Authorities…

Warm Breezes and Showers Sweep Through Sunday: Sunshine Set to Return Next Week

SAVANNAH, Ga. — The serene weather experienced during the workweek extended into…

Trump Announces Return of Strike Survivors to Ecuador and Colombia from Suspected Drug Vessel

WASHINGTON – Two individuals who survived a recent U.S. military strike on…

Massive ‘No Kings’ Protests Sweep the Nation: Americans Unite Against Trump

On Saturday, crowds of protesters from various age brackets gathered en masse…

Woman Faces Charges for Displaying Firearm at Myrtle Beach Protest

In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, a woman was taken into custody on…

Champaign Co. EMA Secures Major Grant for Cutting-Edge Technology Enhancements

URBANA, Ill. — The Champaign County Emergency Management Agency is set to…

Sheriff Confirms Day Care Staff Adhered to Safety Procedures in Tragic Murder-Suicide

In a tragic incident at a day care in Donna on Wednesday,…

Suspects in Immigration Detention Center Shooting Charged with Terrorism: Latest Developments

Two individuals apprehended in connection with a shooting incident in July at…

Ukrainian-Inspired Sketches Transform Wedding Fashion: CSRA and Charlotte Designers Unveil Unique Bridal Creations

CHARLOTTE, N.C. () — A unique global collaboration is set to infuse…

Dramatic Rope Rescue Operation Unfolds in Church Hill, Hawkins County

CHURCH HILL, Tenn. (WJHL) — Emergency teams from the Hawkins County and…

US-19 Chaos: Two Separate Crashes in Tarpon Springs Leave Three Hospitalized

In Tarpon Springs, Florida, a series of incidents on US-19 led to…

Limp Bizkit’s Sam Rivers Passes Away at Age 48

Sam Rivers, the bassist and a founding member of the rock band…