Biden offers federal help after a Florida high-rise condo collapsed near Miami, leaving 99 unaccounted for
- President Joe Biden on Thursday offered federal resources to the state of Florida following the 12-story condo collapse in Surfside.
- Biden said he is waiting for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to declare a state of emergency.
- The collapse at the Champlain Towers South condo left at least one person dead and 99 people unaccounted for.
President Joe Biden on Thursday offered up federal help to assist in aftermath of the tragic condo building collapse in Florida that left at least one dead and 99 people unaccounted for.
"We've gotten in touch with FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency] and they're ready to go," Biden said.
The commander-in-chief said that he is waiting for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to declare a state of emergency.
"We are on top of it," Biden said. "We are ready to move with federal resources immediately, immediately if in fact we're asked for it."
The massive wing of the 12-story Champlain Towers South condo building in Surfside near Miami collapsed at around 1:30 a.m. Thursday.
At least one person was killed in the collapse and at least 10 others were injured. Thirty-five people were rescued from the building and two were pulled from the rubble, officials said.
Emergency crews were still searching the huge pile of debris for any survivors.
Biden explained, "FEMA is down there taking a look at what is needed."
"I say to the people of Florida whatever help you want that the federal government can provide we're waiting, just ask us, we'll be there," Biden said.