Search efforts persist in Surfside, Fla., amid rain, winds and flames, more than 48 hours after the collapse of the 12-story Champlain Towers South.
The latest: An ongoing fire beneath the rubble of the building is hampering rescue efforts, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said Saturday at a press briefing.
- Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Alan Cominsky said Saturday afternoon that shifting winds spread smoke, which made it hard for first responders to breathe and to see, per the Miami Herald.
- As of Saturday evening, 127 individuals have been accounted for, 159 remain unaccounted for and four people have been confirmed dead.
The state of play: An engineering consultant at Morabito Consultants in 2018 cautioned building managers of "major structural damage" to the concrete of Champlain Towers South, according to a report released late Friday.
- In a statement issued Saturday afternoon, Morabito Consultants said: "We completed our inspection and provided our report to the condominium association on Oct. 8, 2018, detailing our findings and recommendations."
- "At that time, we also provided the condominium association with an estimate of the probable costs to make the extensive and necessary repairs. Among other things, our report detailed significant cracks and breaks in the concrete, which required repairs to ensure the safety of the residents and the public."
Driving the news: The report intended to encourage building managers to "provide a safe and functional infrastructure for the future." A "multimillion-dollar" repair plan was set to kick off soon in response to the engineer's concerns, per the New York Times....
- Residents had also been complaining of