Death Toll Rises to 11 After Building Collapse in Florida, Residents Were Warned About Structural Damage

An update on the partial building collapse in Surfside Florida that happened last week. Officials revealed the names of 11 people who have been declared dead. Their ages range from 26 to 82 and 150 people remain missing. According to documents, condo owners in the building were facing assessments for millions of dollars worth of repairs and the payments were set to begin on July 1st. In April the Champlain Towers South condo association approved a $15 million assessment to complete repairs required under the county’s 40 year recertification process.

More than two years had passed after members received a report about ‘major structural damage’ in the building before they started the assessment process to pay for the repairs. Owners would have to pay anywhere from about $80,000 for one bedroom units and just over $336,000 for a four bedroom penthouse. The deadline for residents to pay upfront or choose a monthly fee for 15 years was July 1st. Included in the repairs were new planters, landscaping and waterproofing as well as facade, balcony and railing repairs for $3.4 million. Necessary repairs were valued at $9.1 million. The White House just announced that President Biden and First Lady Jill will be visiting Surfside on Thursday.