WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and SportsVulnerable evacuees find sanctuary

Vulnerable evacuees find sanctuary

More than seventy, mostly senior citizens are into their first week of staying at a church evacuation shelter in Fort Atkinson as their nursing home facility continues to be battered by rising water.

The nursing home patients were moved Tuesday from the Golden Living facility near Fort Atkinson's hospital as surrounding flood waters quickly rose.   "Our lead time was just a few minutes,"  Bethany Lutheran pastor Ethan Steinbrenner told 27 News.   "They called and said, 'We've got to move right now.' "

Church education and activity rooms have been turned into bedrooms.  The dining area has been transformed into a nursing home common room.  Some residents are sleeping on mattresses on the church floor.

"Just think of the staff,"  Ken Pugh told 27 News.  Pugh's wife, Florence, was one of the evacuated residents.   "The staff have to work on these people bending way over onto the floor.  It's tough."

Pugh said his wife was more concerned about whether the family home in Jefferson was taking on flood water.  Pugh said the home was dry, and his wife continued to receive good care.   "I can't say enough about how organized they are."

Golden Living administrator Karen Vincent told 27 News even before the contingency of an evacuation to a church was developed, the nursing home had ten days worth of emergency rations and medical supplies.  Vincent said special beds, oxygen units, and portable air conditioners were among the supplies that have been added to the core emergency provisions at the church.

Bethany Lutheran's worship space is about the only place on the property that has not been turned over to the nursing home operation.  A pastor's daughter is scheduled to be married at the church Saturday.  Steinbrenner said the newlywed's first act as a couple will be to visit evacuees.

Steinbrenner said the church's hospitality is just an extension of the good will shown to flood victims in his community.  Volunteers have sandbagged, businesses have made donations, and neighbors have offered help in the face of Fort Atkinson's extensive flood waters.

"And this (flooding) gives them a chance to do those things,"  Steinbrenner said.  "To show God's love, in a real tangible way."

Officials believed nursing home patients would be in the temporary, church shelter for at least a week.