Fort Lauderdale, Florida, residents ordered to vacate unsafe condo

Unsafe condo inspectionPhoto byVideo captured image

Residents of Springbrook Gardens were given little time to react after the City of Fort Lauderdale declared their condo unsafe due to serious structural issues. Notices were posted on Wednesday, ordering tenants to evacuate by noon Friday.

According to NBC6 News, an engineer reported to the city that the foundations of one section of the building had deteriorated significantly, making the structure unsafe.

The engineer wrote, "The progressive deterioration in the western portion of the structure has made the building no longer safe."

Building inspection on Florida condoPhoto byVideo captured image

In response, the city revoked the condo's Certificate of Occupancy until necessary repairs can be made.

Residents felt blindsided by the unexpected news. Some expressed concern for their neighbors, while others hurriedly packed their belongings into moving trucks and cars, racing against time in poor weather conditions from Hurricane Helene.

"(We were told) building is unsafe, get the hell out," a condo owner, Warren Sackler, who has lived in the building for over ten years, told NBC 6 News.

“There are worries that someone might buy the land and put up a new building,” he added, highlighting added uncertainty among residents about the future of their homes.

With evacuation looming, many residents are feeling the weight of their situation.

“You got 18 people, some don’t ever want to leave and some want to stay five months,” Sackler said.

The city's Emergency Management team is ready to assist residents during this challenging time, providing necessary support and resources. Once repairs are complete, a city inspector will confirm the building's safety before residents can return.