"I'm very glad that I can share with you that starting around 4:45 p.m. [local time] today, we resumed our search and rescue efforts," Cava said on Thursday.
The mayor added that officials will likely proceed with plans to demolish the remaining structure of the sections of the building that are still standing.
Local emergency officials said they have contingency plans in place in case Tropical Storm Elsa threatens the site.
The death toll in the collapse stands at 18.