In Clearwater, Florida, residents who were evacuated from their condos will have a chance to quickly gather their belongings.
The South Beach Condominiums have been under repair since Tuesday after inspectors found a major crack in one of the building’s support pillars.
This weekend, they can return to their units briefly for emergency access. They will have 15 minutes to retrieve essential items.
“I was in my condo with my son when suddenly, around 5 o’clock, there was a loud knock. It seemed unusual, and when I opened the door, two firemen in full gear told us we needed to leave immediately,” Scott May recounted.
Scott May has been renting his condo at South Beach III for almost five years. He said he originally thought the evacuation was a false alarm.
“So, I said I need to go back up, and they said, you’re not going back up. So, just that alone was pretty stressful, not being able to get back up and get your things,” he said.
A letter was sent out Friday that said residents can go into their condos for emergency access. Residents have to sign up for a time slot, they will be escorted, and they will only have 15 minutes.
Karins Engineering gave the written authorization to allow access.
Many of the people who had to evacuate have been waiting for a chance to get some of their belongings.
“I’m very thankful, because I do need to get prescriptions, maintenance prescriptions, clothes, things of that nature,” May said. “I’m just thankful they’re giving us the opportunity, 15 minutes, you know, you’re on the clock, but two of us can go up. So, my son and I can go up and get things as fast as we can and come back down.”
The Condo Association said they are still working to get a longer-term re-entry approved. As of now, they said if things go according to plan, residents can expect that to happen Tuesday.
“There’s talk that we possibly might get back Tuesday, so I think the hardest part is just the unknown. Is this going to be a week, could it be a month, could it be longer? I think that’s the biggest mystery at this time,” May said.
Still not able to go home, May said he is going to get a hotel until they receive the all clear to return.
“I’m sure that first night is going to be a little scary, but yes, to be back would be great,” he said.
The time slots for residents to have a 15-minute window will be both Saturday and Sunday, from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
