Southern Ocean Nursing Home Evacuates Residents After Water Damage

LITTLE EGG HARBOR, NJ — More than 100 residents of a Southern Ocean nursing home were evacuated Monday after staff reported water leaking from the ceiling and the smell of natural gas, Little Egg Harbor police said.

Authorities responded to an alarm activation at Mystic Meadows Rehabilitation and Nursing Center on 9th Avenue on Feb. 9 shortly after 12 p.m., police said. Upon arrival, first responders saw water flowing from the ceiling throughout the building. Facility staff also reported natural gas odors, police said.

An assessment of the building’s condition found that there were no gas leaks, police said. However, significant water damage, combined with a lack of potable water and non-operational fire suppression systems, rendered the building unsafe for residents, police said.

The Ocean County Sheriff’s Department was notified of the alarm activation, a standard procedure for nursing facilities, and also responded to the scene. Additional agencies, including NJ Natural Gas, the Little Egg Harbor Municipal Utilities Authority, Great Bay EMS, the Ocean County Fire Marshal, and various local, county and state inspectors also arrived to assist.

Facility managers and staff collaborated with first responders and emergency management personnel to coordinate the safe evacuation of residents. About 110 residents were successfully relocated to other facilities across the state.