Why the Miami Building Collapsed? – Miami-Dade Sinkhole?
Surfside, Miami – A portion of a high-rise condo collapsed in South Florida on Thursday. A part of the building ripped off and fell to the ground. According to sources, at least one person died, 10 got injured and many went missing.
There were more than 130 units in the condo. 55 of them were destroyed on Thursday. On his visit to the site, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis called the incident “Really, really traumatic.” Perhaps now the most important question to ask is “How did this happen?”
The reason is still not clear. In fact, it could be months before we can identify the cause of this tragic collapse. Could it be a sinkhole? Uneven soil settlement? Or saltwater intrusion?
The theories are countless. Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett said, “Buildings in America don’t just fall down like this. There is a reason. We need to find that reason.”
The reason is still not clear. In fact, it could be months before we can identify the cause of this tragic collapse. Could it be a sinkhole? Uneven soil settlement? Or saltwater intrusion?
The theories are countless. Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett said, “Buildings in America don’t just fall down like this. There is a reason. We need to find that reason.”
Several media outlets have obtained surveillance video capturing the #Surfside building collapse. Horrifying pic.twitter.com/GU6KuPINrx
— Joel Franco (@OfficialJoelF) June 24, 2021
Until now, the investigations are still going on, trying to pinpoint any abnormality as the cause of failure. President Biden has approved an emergency declaration, allowing Homeland Security and FEMA to coordinate relief operations.
Relatives of the missing persons have gathered nearby. They are desperately searching for their loved ones but most of them still haven’t got in touch.
To find out more about nearby sinkholes in Miami-Dade County, check this Miami-Dade County sinkhole map.
To find out more about nearby sinkholes in Miami-Dade County, check this Miami-Dade County sinkhole map.
Sources:
Hamza is a civil engineer turned freelance writer. He takes pride in his research skills and reader-friendly content. During his spare time, he enjoys listening to classical music and visiting historical landmarks.
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My father was involved with the construction of the first hi-rise hotels on Miami Beach in the 50’s…Fontainebleau, Eden Rock, etc. He told me that when they were driving the support pilings into the sand they would suddenly disappear into a void below which lead the engineers to design another method of support. They came up with a foundation that literally ‘floated’ on the sand. At our home in N. Miami Beach some 5 miles inland from the coast my father drove rebar into the ground which also loss resistance and plunged into a void. Reminds me of the the Apostle Matthew admonishing the foolish who build their houses on sand. “The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Perhaps Matt was having premonitions of foolish contractors plying their trade on the shores of Florida…it’s namesake now resting upon the numerous graves of the victims of their folly.