More than 100 residents were evacuated Monday afternoon from a nursing home in Little Egg Harbor Township after water damage and safety concerns rendered the building uninhabitable.
Officers from the Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department and local firefighters responded at about 12:08 p.m. to reports of flooding and a possible gas odor at Mystic Meadows Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, located at 151 Ninth Ave.
Upon arrival, first responders found water flowing from ceiling areas throughout the facility. While no natural gas leak was detected, officials said the extensive water damage, along with the loss of potable water and fire suppression systems, made the building unsafe for occupancy.
Facility administrators worked with emergency personnel and local emergency management officials – including Lakewood Shomrim, working under Cert and Ocean County OEM – to coordinate the evacuation of approximately 110 residents. The relocation effort lasted more than 12 hours, with residents transported to facilities across the state.
Police said staff and responders worked throughout the operation to ensure residents were moved safely and with dignity.
No injuries were reported, and officials did not immediately release details on the cause of the water damage.