President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration for Florida on Friday in response to a multi-story building collapsing in Miami-Dade County.
The declaration will allow FEMA to “coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures.”
The collapsed building caused more than 55 condo units to tumble to the ground — leaving a large pile of rubble behind. At least 4 people have been confirmed dead and over 100 are still unaccounted for. The mayor of Miami-Dade County said that 35 people have been recovered.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis immediately declared a state of emergency following the incident in an effort to send all available resources to the area.
Elected officials in Florida and across the country are working to assist in a wide variety of efforts.Â
“Members of Senator Rubio’s staff are at the Family Reunification Center in #Surfside to provide assistance. They are working with the embassies and consulates to help expedite travel visas for affected family members who need to travel to the U.S.” announced Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL)
Members of Senator Rubio’s staff are at the Family Reunification Center in #Surfside to provide assistance.
They are working with the embassies and consulates to help expedite travel visas for affected family members who need to travel to the U.S. #SurfsideBuildingCollapse
— Senator Rubio Press (@SenRubioPress) June 25, 2021
Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) said that his staff is also working at the Family Reunification Center.
“I say to the people of Florida, whatever help you want that the federal government can provide, we are waiting, just ask us, we’ll be there,” President Biden said.
According to numerous reports, the 40-year-old building was recently set to begin the recertification process. Therefore, it was ready to undergo various forms of inspection.
“The building has had engineers looking at it for months, and obviously there was no indication that something like this was forthcoming,” the attorney representing the Champlain South Towers Association said.
The cause of the collapse has yet to be determined.
— — —
Cooper Moran is a reporter for the Star News Network. Follow Cooper on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected]
