Surfside security guard describes escaping collapsed condo building

The security guard working at the Champlain Towers South building the night the condo collapsed described the tense moments to Local 10 News’ Rosh Lowe.

[LadyAmanita]

Fellow security guard here, I've worked at buildings similar. I'm so glad she got out OK, and I hope she gets the therapy she needs. She deserves help right alongside the families affected by this disaster.

[KPnDC]

I remember a woman saying the guard helped her and her family. I hope she gets the help she needs. Bless her.

[Iris-zqmq]

I feel so bad for her. She’s suffering from PTSD. Imagine violent shaking then violent crashing noises. Hearing the screams of people calling for help while you’re still not aware of what’s going on. Then crawling on hands and knees in total darkness while surrounded by concrete soot gasping for air. This experience was a living nightmare that will haunt her for a very long time. I hope she’s able to get the therapy she needs to be able to live a normal life again.

[johnhazel]

I don't understand how anyone can criticize Shamoka. I'm sure that she was not trained and her company manuals did not cover building collapses. She certainly could not see the entire building from her desk. Most likely the power went out in most of the structure after the collapse. You can see the flashes in the collapse videos from the 240 volt, 200 amp electrical service to each unit. We knew what happened as it was presented to us on the news. Many people in the building had no idea what happened. Your home collapsing is not the first thing that comes to mind. If you read the gofundme article, you can get an idea of all that she did to help.

[Moonlava]

I am so glad she survived. I hope she gets therapy. I understand the not being able to work. Bless her.

[Cb-fzev]

This is so heartbreaking, I am so glad she survived. God bless her

[elenasunshine]

I would have preferred to hear the story directly from her rather than him speaking for

[atomicsushi]

‘We saw the video and said, we have to hear her story’
—proceeds to talk over her as she’s telling the story—

[loristewart]

This is heartbreaking. Bless her heart.❤

[lantern]

The shock alone can last months. I hope she gets help for what she has been through. Very traumatic indeed.

[Littlething]

I wonder if she's the Guard that the Nir family spoke with before they ran? So heartbreaking but talking about the trauma will help with recovery. Thank you for sharing.

[jokerace]

I'm glad you're still here, Shimoka. Heroic effort to help those whom you could. Hopefully this type of tragedy won't happen again anywhere.

[celiastarot]

Poor girl she must be traumatized from what she heard, I hope she can also get counseling and conquer that nightmare she went through 😞

[tanyasmith]

You truly had to be in the perfect spot at the perfect time to have survived this collapse at all.
I'm so happy she made it out & I hope her mind and heart can heal in time.

[vanillapudding]

I’m happy for her and anyone that made it out of this!♥️🎈

[christopher]

I am humbled by this woman's bravery, and also by her faith. It is really easy during horrible tragedies to question or even lose your faith in god. But always remember that God loves you and he believes in you Ms. Furmanhe and he has a plan for you.

[Not-Anonymous-]

She probably needs to find therapy. That’s got to be horrific.

[justinewhite-hadley]

PTSD for SURE. Bless her heart.... those screams may be seared into her memory for a lifetime. Please get the help you need hun 🙏♥️

[did]

Why did’t they let us hear her story when she was telling it. Not a good video. Glad she survived though.

[sd]

Cop: What collapsed?
Guard: See that building over there?
Cop: I don't see any building over there.
Guard: Well that building you don't see is the building that collapsed.