The Villa del Sol condominiums in Jensen Beach were evacuated Thursday.
According to a St. Lucie County spokesperson, a structural engineer hired by Villa del Sol discovered extensive damage during an inspection. The structural engineer alerted St. Lucie County and upon inspection the buildings were “red tagged,” making them uninhabitable for occupancy. As a result, residents were evacuated to ensure their well-being.
A total of 11 people were asked to evacuate.
Flynn Fidgeon, communications manager for the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners, told WPTV that the county was notified of structural damage by a private structural engineer hired by the homeowners association. Building officials then confirmed what the private engineer discovered. Fidgeon did not know what exactly was discovered.
Only three buildings in the complex were classified as unsafe.
WATCH: Interview with Flynn Fidgeon, Communications Manager for the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners
Interview with Flynn Fidgeon
WPTV has seen an email the property manager sent to residents Thursday afternoon informing them that the building was no longer safe after a final inspection.
Residents of Villa del Sol react to the evacuation
Resident Eric Johnson says they received an email around 3pm Thursday afternoon saying there had been an inspection and residents needed to evacuate. He adds he has a 13-year-old son who is due to start school on Monday and his wife is on dialysis at home and now they need to make other arrangements.
“In the long term, we are not yet sure what we will do,” he said.
SEE: Resident Eric Johnson
Eric Johnson, resident of Villa del Sol