Biden Approves Florida Emergency Declaration After Miami Building Collapse Leaves 3 Dead, 99 Missing

President Joe Biden approved a Florida emergency declaration early Friday after a Miami Building Collapse left 3 dead and up to 99 missing.

The president authorized the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) “to coordinate all disaster relief efforts with the goal of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency medevacs,” according to a White House statement released around 1 a.m. ET.

According to the statement, FEMA is allowed to identify, deploy, and supply equipment and resources to help mitigate the effects of the catastrophe. “Debris clearance and emergency protection measures, including direct federal support,” according to the statement.

The White House statement came only hours after a residential building in Miami-Dade County partially collapsed, killing at least three people and trapping scores more beneath the wreckage.

The fall is being investigated by authorities, and rescue operations are ongoing.

According to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Raide Jadallah, personnel has rescued 35 individuals trapped in the structure and two others from beneath the debris.