JENSEN BEACH -- Three buildings inside a St. Lucie County community were evacuated Thursday afternoon after an inspection determined the buildings were unsafe.

The property manager at Villa del Sol in Jensen Beach sent an email to residents alerting them to the findings of the inspection and telling them they had to evacuate.

“I was actually working from home, and one of my neighbors texted me and was like, ‘Did you get the email? Is this a joke?’” said Eric Johnson, a resident of Villa del Sol for the last five years. In all, 36 units were deemed structurally unsafe. Only nine of the units were occupied with 11 total residents. The inspections are part of a state law that was passed after the condo collapse in Surfside in 2021. This statute states that all condominium or cooperative buildings that are 25 or 30 years of age or older, with three or more floors in height must conduct structural integrity assessments known as Milestone Inspections.

“He noticed some structural damage to three of the buildings he was looking at, notified St. Lucie County and our building officials,” said Flynn Fidgeon, St. Lucie County communications manager.

“My first reaction was concern for the owners that are here full time,” said Stephanie Bualat, property manager. “Obviously, we never want to tell people to get out of their homes.”

But that was the decision that was made collectively by the private inspector and county officials.

Red tags were placed on every unit, saying it was an unsafe building.

Residents were only given a few hours to gather as many of their belongings as possible and move out.

“My wife does dialysis. My son is starting a new school Monday. I work from home. We have pets,” Johnson said.

“In the long run, it’s all about the safety and the welfare of these unit owners, especially the ones that are here now,” Bualat said.

Bualat said all eleven residents had found temporary housing.

However, it’s unknown how long it will take before the buildings can be repaired and become safe again.