Hundreds of Vehicles Stranded After NY Parking Structure Unexpectedly Collapses | Carscoops

      A 15-story parking garage in White Plains partially collapsed, crushing cars and trapping hundreds of vehicles inside.

      Approximately 600 vehicles are stuck as crews work to stabilize the structure. Officials noted that the 50-year-old facility was in the midst of repair work.

      Parking garages aren't typically regarded as the safest spots to leave a car, with concerns usually centered around theft and scams. However, in White Plains, New York, numerous individuals who parked in a garage this week find themselves stranded without access to their cars, and it's not due to theft.

      The issue arises from a significant section of the building collapsing onto the lower levels, crushing vehicles and blocking the exits for the others.

      Structural Failure or Fatigue?

      The incident occurred on Wednesday morning at the 15-story privately owned parking garage on Hale Avenue, located near the Westchester One office tower. City officials stated that a part of the fifth floor collapsed around 9 a.m., causing concrete and debris to fall onto the lower levels.

      Aerial images revealed a jagged gap in the middle of the roof, with at least six vehicles visibly crushed in the debris.

      Remarkably, no injuries were reported. “If it was 8:30 in the morning, who knows what would have happened,” remarked White Plains Public Safety Commissioner David Chong to NBC New York, highlighting that the collapse happened shortly after the morning rush.

      Crews from several departments, including the Yonkers Fire Department’s Urban Search and Rescue Task Force, responded quickly to stabilize the structure and check for anyone potentially trapped inside.

      How Will They Clear 600 Cars?

      After several hours of reinforcing compromised areas, the building was deemed too unstable for most owners to retrieve their vehicles. Officials estimate that around 600 cars remain inside, with the recovery process likely taking several days.

      The recovery is expected to unfold slowly, with authorities planning to proceed in stages. They’ll remove some vehicles, verify the structure's stability, take out more cars, and continue this process until all vehicles are retrieved.

      One office worker with a car stuck on the fourth floor mentioned that their employer has been “very generous,” providing Uber vouchers and flexible work-from-home options while they await updates. “I’m hoping to hear about moving the car tomorrow,” they shared.

      The cause of the collapse is still under investigation, but officials confirmed that the nearly 50-year-old building was undergoing significant concrete restoration at the time of the incident.