Source: Politics<\/p>\n
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said Sunday that she hopes the collapse of the condo in Surfside was \u201can anomaly,\u201d and that officials are continuing to investigate what happened, in addition to reinspecting older buildings in the area. <\/p>\n
The death toll from the collapse rose to nine Sunday, and the number of residents missing remained more than 150. Rescuers continue to scour the rubble for any possible survivors.<\/p>\n
Over the weekend, Levine Cava announced a 30-day audit for buildings 40 years or older in response to the incident. <\/p>\n
She told Chuck Todd of NBC’s \u201cMeet the Press\u201d on Sunday that since Hurricane Andrew hit the area in 1992, buildings have been built and inspected up to a certain code. The 13-story Champlain Towers South, which collapsed around 1:30 a.m. Thursday, was built in 1981.<\/p>\n
Once more information becomes available, Levine Cava said, \u201cwe may look at what else we may do,\u201d beyond the re-inspections of those buildings 40 years or older.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt this point, we’re starting with the review of those 40 plus, and look this, as far as we know and hope, is an anomaly, but the investigation is going to be ongoing,\u201d she added. \u201cRight now, we’re still very focused on search and rescue.\u201d <\/p>\n
With hurricane season on the horizon, Levine Cava said the area is prepared. <\/p>\n
\u201cOur emergency operation center is ready to go. It is activated because of this disaster,\u201d she said. \u201cWe are on top of it. Of course we’ll deal with whatever comes our way.\u201d <\/p>\n
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said Sunday on CBS News’ \u201cFace the Nation\u201d that he \u201chas little doubt we will know why this happened and be able to make changes to building codes if necessary to prevent it from happening again.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRight now, 99 percent of the focus is on trying to find any survivors and give these families closure on this terrible tragedy,\u201d he added. <\/p>\n