Evacuation ordered at Rochester condos due to structural concerns
ROCHESTER, Minn. -- Residents were ordered to evacuate a southern Minnesota condominium Friday evening due to structural concerns.
The City of Rochester says it received a call at 4:45 p.m. from a structural engineer regarding concerns about the structural integrity of Rochester Towers Condominium on 5th Avenue Southwest.
The Rochester fire and police departments are assisting with the evacuation of everyone inside the building which houses approximately 180 residents in 94 units.
Cars were towed from the condo's parking ramp out of an abundance of caution.
Shoring operations were completed late Saturday afternoon and conditions were deemed stable.
City officials say that 2nd Street Southwest will be reopened by 10 p.m. Saturday.
Northbound lanes on 5th Avenue Southwest from 2nd Street Southwest to 3rd Street Southwest will remain closed until construction materials are removed from the area, which is expected to happen by Monday afternoon.
Zumbro Lutheran Church was set up as a temporary shelter on Friday, according to KIMT. The Executive Director of the Southeastern Minnesota Chapter of the American Red Cross Melanie Tschida said the building collapse is the largest disaster the chapter has assisted so far this year.
The evacuation in Rochester comes nearly a week after an apartment complex in Davenport, Iowa collapsed, injuring at least eight people.