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‘Safe and dry.’ Nursing homes in Eastern Kentucky evacuated. Some residents still in gyms

Lexington Herald-Leader - 8/1/2022

Devastating flooding in Eastern Kentucky led to the evacuations of residents in at least two nursing homes in areas hard-hit by rising waters.

Residents at the Letcher Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Whitesburg were evacuated to multiple hospitals during the storm, according to a July 29 Facebook post from the nursing home.

The nursing home posted Sunday they were working with the Kentucky Department of Public Health to transfer the residents back to the nursing and rehabilitation center by Monday evening.

“We are extremely excited to see our residents and to welcome them back home! Thank you all for your continued support and understanding,” the post said.

However, on Monday morning Letcher Manor officials said in a Facebook post the relocation of residents back to the Whitesburg nursing home was delayed.

“Due to more flooding and unsafe travel conditions, we are having to postpone the transport of residents back to Letcher Manor today. We are working closely with local and state officials to ensure the safety of our residents and staff. We are tentatively looking to bring residents back tomorrow,” the post said.

Residents at the Nim Henson Geriatric Center in Jackson were evacuated due to the possible failure of the Panbowl dam in the area.

Those residents are still at the Wolfe County Middle School gym in a makeshift nursing home, according to Facebook posts.

“We’re bunked for now and they are doing remarkably good. We can not say thank you enough for the help from the whole community once again. We are blessed,” read the Facebook post from Nim Henson Geriatric Center. “Residents are safe and dry,” said a July 29 Facebook post.

On Sunday, members of the Campton United Methodist Church visited as have multiple people and pets from Wolfe County.

“They’ve treated us like we are their own!!! We can’t tell how much we appreciate everyone,” said a Facebook post from the staff at Nim Henson.

But Nim Henson staff also added on Facebook that volunteer certified nursing assistants or CNAS would be welcome.

“Our workers are getting tired but hanging on. The extra help would be appreciated,” the post said.

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