A year after the tragic Surfside, Florida, condominium collapse that claimed 98 lives, federal investigators have shed light on a critical structural flaw. A preliminary analysis by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has revealed a "severe strength deficiency" in the Champlain Towers South building's pool deck.

Investigators meticulously examined building records, interviewed witnesses, conducted material tests, and developed models to understand the collapse. Their findings point to inadequate strength in the pool deck at and between its supporting columns. The steel reinforcement within the concrete slabs was reportedly embedded deeper than originally specified, while the weight of planters on the deck exceeded the initial design load.

Further exacerbating the issue, layers of sand and paving stones were added atop the pool deck, and corrosion was observed in some sections of the steel reinforcement. These factors combined to create a "critically low" safety margin against structural failure, according to investigators.

The partial collapse occurred on June 24, 2021, followed by the demolition of the remaining structure about 10 days later. The tragedy left families grappling with grief and unanswered questions. One year after the collapse, Martin Langesfeld, who lost his sister in the disaster, recounted the agonizing weeks of waiting and hoping for news of survivors.

While a $1 billion settlement was reached with victims' families and survivors in 2022, the definitive cause of the collapse remains elusive. The NIST's final report is not expected until May 2025.