BUDA, Texas — The power is back in homes after February’s deadly winter storm, but some people are still dealing with its aftermath. Residents at a senior living facility in Buda have gone multiple weeks without access to an elevator.
The winter storm knocked out the power in the elevators at Creekside Villas Senior Living, forcing residents to evacuate.
“I was in my apartment when they knocked on my door and they said 'you got one hour to evacuate,'” Ida Molloy, a resident at the senior living facility said. “He said 'make sure you take your medicine. Make sure you take some clothes.'”
Molloy uses a walker to get around. She has Lupus and other health conditions. She hasn’t left her second story apartment since the pandemic began last March. Most of her interactions are with her caretaker, through the phone or when a neighbor comes to visit. When residents were told to evacuate during the winter storm, they were brought downstairs with help from the Buda Fire Department, but when they wanted to return, help never came.
“I called them. They said that they didn't have anybody to bring me back upstairs,” Carolyn Sandve, Molloy’s next door neighbor said. “I sat down on the stairs and I went up backwards.”
Sandve uses an electric scooter to get around, and is one of 80% of adults who are wheelchair bound or need mobility assistance at the senior apartment complex.
Creekside Villas Senior Living and sent multiple emails to residents during and after the winter storm. An email that came in on February 21 stated building one and three occupants could return, but building two was not ready yet.
“An elevator was damaged by the winter storm and required a part that was backlogged,” Jackie Miller, Vice President at Veritee Property Solutions said in an email to Spectrum News on March 2. “Based on communication from the elevator company, it is our understanding that many elevators across Texas were damaged, and thus a run-on parts has occurred. We have been in contact with the elevator company twice daily, as their shipments came in. we were informed that the parts arrived in yesterday's late shipment. We expect the part and repair to be completed today.”
As for Molloy and Sandve, they're hoping it gets fixed soon.
“If a fire happened right now how are we going to get out with the elevator not working,” Molloy said. “Accidents can happen.”
Every day that passes they’re forced to stay inside, but they’re staying positive, knowing more time at home means more visits with one another.