Elkhart man opens home to friend after Senior Living Facility evacuation

ELKHART, Ind. — Dozens of elderly residents at an assisted living complex in Elkhart cannot go back home right now after bitter cold temperatures caused frozen pipes to burst and flood the building.

All 123 residents of Hellenic Senior Living, including some with pets, were evacuated Sunday after a pipe burst off the main of the dry sprinkler system.

Eighty-six-year-old Albert Beck described walking through two to three inches of water to get out of his apartment.

“I had to walk through to get to the elevator and I get downstairs and it was chaos. I thought what in the world happened.”

Crews helped escort residents out of the building, including those who required extra assistance.

“I had two firemen get me by the arms and take me out of my apartment that said you gotta go and they walked me down the stairs and I said what about my cat,” added Beck.

Residents with critical needs were moved first to the sister facility in Mishawaka, while others were taken to the Indianapolis location.

“We had people in wheelchairs. We had people that were amputee, but the facilities really stepped up to help out,” said Jennifer Tobey, Elkhart County executive director of emergency management.

Tobey said the event was a first for her after three decades as a first responder.

About half of the residents went to stay with family. The rest were dispersed to other nearby facilities who stepped up to help.

One man chose to take in a friend who needed somewhere to go.

“Al’s been the perfect houseguest. I mean no complaints,” said Joe Grimm.

Beck has spent the last few days with his friend Joe. The two share the same naptimes and favorite television programs and both are navigating life after the loss of their wives.

“It’s been a joy to be with Joe. I’ve known him for some years. We’ve never been real close, but we’ve developed a close bond,” said Beck.

After 86 years of helping others, Beck said it feels like he is now receiving the gift back.

“I’m being rewarded for what I’ve done in the past I think,” he said.

Still, he is eager to get home to his cat Sahara, who is currently staying with a foster family.

“I have a lot of things there that are very near and dear to me. Look forward to getting back to him, trying to live those later years in harmony and in love.”

Attached is the latest update from Hellenic, who those we spoke to say has been very communicative: