Residents forced to evacuate Clearwater condo allowed to retrieve belongings
Share and Follow


Above video: Lawmakers pass condo reform bill amid growing safety concerns.

CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) — The wait is over for some residents who will be returning home almost a week after evacuating from a Clearwater condo due to structural concerns.

Residents at The South Beach III Condominiums on Gulf Boulevard received a notice Monday night that said they would be allowed to return to their units, “effective immediately.”

Several residents were given the all-clear, except for those living on stacks 4-5, which officials said are located directly above the support column that initially prompted concern.

Sixty people were forced to evacuate from the 12-story building on May 6 after engineers found the column splitting in the first-floor parking structure.

Residents — some of whom left with only the clothes of their backs — were given 15 minutes to retrieve their belongings as crews continued to work to stabilize the building over the weekend.

The condo association said Monday it could be an additional week before residents are allowed to return to units on stacks 4-5, and an additional emergency access plan is being considered.

Those who were returning to their units Monday night were asked to abide by a set of restrictions. Some of those restrictions included maximum occupancy limits, designated parking areas and no deliveries over 75 pounds.

“This has been a long process,” the condo association wrote in the notice. “While residents may be excited to re-enter their units, adherence to these instructions is imperative to the safety of all our residents.”

Officials said contractors will be frequently inspecting the temporary safety shoring apparatuses that were installed, and there will likely be tightening and other adjustments — all of which is “normal and expected.”

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Ex-U.S. Representative and Former Transportation Secretary Appointed to Lead Edgar Fellows Program

ILLINOIS (WCIA) — The program founded by former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar…

Johnson City’s Salvation Army Spreads Holiday Cheer with Angel Tree Gift Distribution

In Johnson City, Tennessee, the spirit of giving was alive and well…

Democratic Governors Advocate for Midterm Strategy Centered on Economic Concerns

PHOENIX – This weekend, Democratic governors convened in Arizona, aiming to transform…

GOP Senator Supports Release of Video in Controversial Strike Killing Two Survivors

A video capturing a U.S. military operation against a suspected drug smuggling…

Maximize Winter Savings: Expert Tips on Efficient Heating Use to Slash Your Bills

SALT LAKE CITY (KTVX) — As the chill of winter sets in,…

KISS and Sylvester Stallone to be Honored at Trump-Hosted Kennedy Center Awards: ‘I’ll Try to Channel Johnny Carson

In a scene reminiscent of a Kennedy Center Honors ceremony of yesteryear,…

Bement Faces Water Crisis: Boil Order Enforced After Major Water Main Break

A water main break in Bement, Illinois, has prompted authorities to issue…

Trump Hosts Star-Studded Kennedy Center Honors: Sylvester Stallone and KISS Among Recipients

A video captures President Trump being honored with the FIFA Peace Prize.…