The fifth floor collapsed onto the fourth floor of the parking structure on Hale Avenue around 9 a.m.
"There was actually a person on the floor. Had just actually - was walking around the floor and saw the collapse, and he was the first person that called," said White Plains Public Safety Commissioner David Chong.
A photo from inside the garage clearly shows concrete smashing several cars.
Officials with the fire department said roughly 15 cars remain in the collapse zone and that is where they will stay.
The focus now is on the integrity of the parking garage, which is believed to be 12 stories tall.
Inspectors thoroughly examined the garage from top to bottom, including the entrance and exit ramps. After a few measurements, firefighters went to work cutting new columns that will provide temporary support while engineers iron out a more permanent solution.
"What we are working on now is shoring up the garage to make it safe to remove the vehicles that are in there," said White Plains Mayor Tom Roach.
Many people who work in the neighboring office building park in the garage and use a crosswalk to head into work.
Some people spent the whole day at work wondering what shape they would find their cars in, and when they got off, they still had no idea, because they're not allowed inside.
"I don't know. Today's a weird day. For real. I'm really grateful I'm alive and that you know could be worse," said car owner Rachel Meiselman.
She parked her car in the garage about a half hour before the floor caved in.
Fatima Chavez parked on the fifth floor of the garage.
"I don't know how I'm getting home but I wish somebody would come outside right now and let me know where is my car," Chavez said.
Siobhan Rossi, who works in the area, said she feels very lucky she was not hurt.
"It was very nerve-wracking you know, I didn't know which way to go, if it was a secure structure to leave and I have small kids at home but God forbid, you never know," Rossi said.
Authorities say they are very fortunate there were no injuries.
"We are blessed that it wasn't something more tragic, if it was at 8:30 in the morning who knows what would have happened when people were coming into to work," Chong said.
There is still no definitive timetable for when people can go inside and retrieve their cars.
Authorities say that is all up to engineers brought in by the property owner and the Department of Buildings.
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