Buford Highway flooded during the early morning hours Wednesday due to a major water main break in DeKalb County.
Numerous healthcare facilities have closed for the day due to the ongoing situation, and the break is impacting nursing homes as well.
Betsy Hill, administrator of ManorCare Rehab Center in Decatur, said the impact for its 117 residents has been minimal so far. Still, the facility has had to make a few changes from its daily operations.
Modifications include converting to bottled water, serving meals on paper plates and, most taxing of all, carting water upstairs to flush toilets.
Hill said ManorCare has been in communication with DeKalb authorities, and residents’ families have been notified about what’s going on.
“Other than that it’s a relatively normal day,” Hill said, adding that ManorCare has a disaster plan for this kind of “eventuality.”
The facility is even getting prepared in the event the advisory doesn’t end soon. They’ve contacted the purchasing department to research bringing in a large amount of potable water, Hill said.
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A.G. Rhodes Health & Rehab's DeKalb location —which accommodates 150 residents and has a secure Alzheimer's unit located on Emory's Wesley Woods campus — didn't experience any noticeable water pressure issues, but the home has implemented the boil water advisory.
The facility also has a sign on the door showing an advisory that the county posted on its website, according to Mary Newton, director of communications. They’ve sent family members emails alerting them of the advisory as well.
Like ManorCare, A.G. Rhodes is prepared for such situations. Newton said the location has “a well-stocked supply of bottled water.”
A.H. Rhodes also operates homes in Cobb and Fulton counties; ManorCare also has a location in Cobb County.
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