13-05-2025
Majority of Clearwater condo evacuees allowed to go back home almost a week later
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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.'
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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.'
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