Rain and Storms Add New Challenges to Brooklyn Building Collapse Search

Persistent rain and thunderstorms could hamper the investigation of a deadly building collapse in Brooklyn, New York. Here is a look at how the weather is impacting search and rescue crews on the ground.

Eight People Confirmed Dead in Brooklyn Building Collapse

At least eight people have been confirmed dead in Brooklyn after a three-story multi-use building on Flatbush Avenue collapsed on Wednesday afternoon. According to local officials, six adults and two children are among the dead. In addition to the fatalities, at least 18 people were injured in the collapse. The list of injured includes four firefighters.

Over 250 fire and emergency responders were dispatched to the scene to sift through the rubble looking for survivors. Crews arrived within a minute to begin the process of carefully extracting people from the debris.

While conditions were clear at the time of the collapse, heavy rain and thunderstorms began moving into the New York City area on Thursday afternoon.  A Tornado Watch was issued for Queens on Thursday as severe storms roamed the city and its boroughs. A possible twister was spotted near John F. Kennedy International Airport.

The rain is forecast to continue through the overnight hours on Thursday and into Friday. Forecasters are worried that heavy rain could create ponding and piles of mud at the collapse site.

FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore is also concerned about how the rain will impact the ability of rescue crews to do their job. According to Bonsignore, "Collapse operations are extremely dangerous. Every move is choreographed and critically important to patient outcomes and member safety." During a press conference on Thursday, she explained that  “This type of emergency is something our members train extensively for, and we will be here until we are 100% sure there are no more people trapped."

Rescue Teams Prepare for the Weather

New York City Department of Buildings Commissioner Ahmed Tigani said that his teams have been preparing for the inclement conditions. Tigani noted that his crews are confident that they can move the rubble without disturbing the debris underneath. However, there is no doubt that the rain and the breezy conditions will be a hindrance, particularly as it relates to the speed of the operation.

Tigani said that “They’ll be moving at a pace and phasing to respond to how the rain falls or any additional wind that may come." Engineers are on site to monitor the movement of the debris and respond to how the weather may impact the extraction strategy.

Colder temperatures coming along with the storm will also present concerns for workers searching through the night. Overnight lows are forecast to land in the low 40s in and around New York City. Friday will not be much warmer, with highs topping out in the mid 40s, paired with winds out of the north at 10 to 20 mph.

The rain is forecast to ease later in the day Friday. The weekend forecast is calling for dry but cloudy conditions along with highs that reach about the 50-degree mark.

Investigators with the NYPD and the Department of Buildings are working together to determine the cause of the collapse. In addition to helping at the site of the collapse at 1321 Flatbush Avenue, inspectors and engineers are also checking the adjacent buildings for stability concerns.

Two construction workers were among the list of fatalities. These victims had been working at an adjacent construction site when the collapse occurred. Workers had been performing a permitted excavation at the time, leading many to speculate that this could be related to the incident. Work has been halted at this site.

The nearby project had been the subject of concern in the months leading up to the collapse. The project had received a stop-work order back in March due to inadequate overhead protection. However, workers resumed the project in April, despite the order. This defiance prompted another violation. The order was lifted on May 8 when inspectors deemed that the issues had been corrected.

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