LEWISBURG W.Va. (WVDN) – It was reported that on Sunday, May 26, at 2 a.m., a sprinkler system malfunctioned and flooded the three-story complex, Morgan Manor, which houses multiple individuals from all walks of life, but most are elderly, handicapped or have mental disabilities. It is income-based housing.
Seventeen residents are without a home. The complex houses a reported 32 people, and a few of these residents have family and a place to stay, but 17 were reportedly told they had to leave the premises by sundown on May 27 with nowhere to go. The property is reportedly now unsafe and in need of serious repair.
While on the scene, a few family members were helping to retrieve what belongings they could of their displaced family members, as well as trying to keep them calm and reassured. Some were in tears, others pacing aimlessly. Those at the scene saw no property management there to organize, delegate or even oversee the task of finding immediate housing for 17 people. So it was placed upon kind community members who immediately stepped up to help.
The district manager allegedly came the night before and then “just left” according to Crystal Atwell, daughter of Morgan Manor resident Arcena. Atwell said, “The fire company told us that everyone would have to leave now, at 3 a.m. The only way they would let us stay was if I went to check on every apartment every 15 minutes, which I did. I climbed three sets of stairs for hours and documented every apartment I went to, every 15 minutes with the time noted. These are my mother’s friends. This is where she lives. I can’t stand by and do nothing. I am exhausted and haven’t slept all night, but I won’t let these people suffer. I don’t know where all these people are going to go, and no one will help us.”
Pam Harders, representing Edgewood Presbyterian Church; Miranda Huffman, a friend of a resident; Crystal Atwell; and others worked tirelessly to help gather residents and a few belongings, to check each apartment for any remaining people and to find food, as well as shelter. The hallways were eerily dark while they waded through water, wet floors, bubbles of water about to burst through paint and dripping water from every light fixture.
Rhema Christian Center sent its bus to carry individuals to the Super 8 Motel when, finally, a place that on-the-spot donors could afford was procured. Mitchell Brigman, a former Morgan Manor maintenance personnel and current resident, spoke of the chaos that was occurring and was working with volunteers to secure immediate housing. Brigman was able to procure funds from his employer, The Amonette Family of Waiteville, Virginia for the residents to stay at a hotel until Friday. All 17 of them. Patsy Weinbender of Natural Bridge is also assisting with housing.
Brigman said, “At 2 a.m. the sprinkler system started flooding, and the fire department came to shut off the water and power [which was already off due to a storm].”
Multiple residents are in wheelchairs, are on oxygen and are elderly. Residents allegedly tried calling RLJ Management Company, but they reportedly said they could only put all the displaced residents up for one night. The residents are scared and worried.
Brigman said, “Even if we had power, we can’t turn it on because there’s water in the outlets and breaker boxes. RLJ said that they would put us up for one night, but then we will have to move them again, to where? With what?” It was finally decided that Super 8 had rooms and was half the price of The Hampton Inn, where RLJ reportedly planned for them to be for just one night.
The management company, RLJ Management (out of Ohio), who manages several properties in the area, was allegedly not answering phone calls from residents or families. Their website says, “RLJ Management Company, Inc. covers an 11-state region including Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Virginia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Illinois, Florida, Georgia and Pennsylvania and has been a leader in managing affordable housing for seniors, families and those with disabilities since 1984. RLJ Management has a portfolio with over 200 communities and 8,400 plus units, while consistently maintaining a 97% occupancy rate. The company prides itself on the family feel created on every property, their unique service coordination and strong management offered to residents.”
WVDN reached out to RLJ Management for a statement, but at the time of publishing, they have not responded.
Regarding the building, Lewisburg Fire Chief Joseph Thomas stated, “There was a rusthole in the sprinkler and, due to the power outage (caused by surging storms last night), allowed the air to leave the system, and that’s what caused the water to actually flow into the system and activate the sprinkler. So, it’s actually a maintenance issue, and probably a couple thousand gallons of water were let into the building.”
The water reportedly flowed from the third floor down the levels through electricity outlets, lighting fixtures, via stairs and the walls. The fire department worked diligently into the night to correct what they could and to make sure the residents were safe. With the power already off, the main was shut down, and several factors must come into line before the power can be turned back on; notwithstanding the power outages that already affect various parts of the city and Greenbrier County. Residents will be displaced for an undetermined amount of time.
For now, the residents are safe and have food and shelter. They had to leave behind their belongings and their lives, as it were.
The Applebee’s management team (of The Thrive Restaurant Group), Robert Householder and Jeremy Urban were generous enough to provide hot meals for all 17 residents for their first night away from home. The fine folks of Jim’s Drive-in will also step in to prepare lunches and dinners as much as possible. Anyone who is interested in helping with funds for hotel rooms should contact Super 8 Motel at 304-520-0307.
The residents, through generous donations, will have shelter until Friday, May 31, at 11 a.m. At this point they will have to leave, hopefully returning to their homes. With the storm damage and many citizens without power already, they may have to wait longer.
Gracious community members Miranda Huffman and family and Pam Harders will be working on providing them with food. Lunches and dinners are the main focus as a continental breakfast is provided by Super 8 Motel.
To donate, contact Miranda Huffman at 304-661-5171.
WVDN will continue to follow this developing story and provide updates as they become available.
