110 patients evacuated from North Miami Beach assisted living facility with no power

North Miami Beach takes measures to protect residents from 'unbearable' heat

NORTH MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – An assisted living facility without power in North Miami Beach was evacuated Wednesday, hours after eight people died at a Hollywood nursing home.

Sky 10 was over Krystal Bay Nursing and Rehabilitation as 110 patients were being removed from the building and driven by a fleet of buses to 13 other facilities and hospitals with power.

Witnesses at the scene described miserable conditions inside the center.

"It is insufferable," North Miami Beach Commissioner Barbara Kramer said. "It's heat that is unbearable. It's unbearable for young people, so you can just imagine what it's like for people who are not feeling well."

The manager of the facility called 911 when he started to see signs of distress in patients. There are no reported injuries and the residents remain in good health.

Police said one of Krystal Bay's two generators had failed and the other was not working properly.

"They are going to be mobilized to other facilities like theirs -- nursing home facilities and some hospitals -- whoever has room," Kramer said. "This manager has connections, and he made it happen for these residents, and we're very proud to have this facility in our city." 

North Miami Beach is assisting with the evacuation by offering city trolleys and other vehicles.

"We have mobilized our parks and recreation trucks, our vehicles, our vans, police vehicles, our three trolleys, whatever it takes to save lives," North Miami Beach City Manager Ana Garcia said.

Krystal Bay has yet to have electricity restored since the fringe of Hurricane Irma struck South Florida on Sunday.

The evacuation came the same day eight elderly residents died at the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills.

"In light of what happened in Hollywood, the tragedy that happened in Hollywood under our watch was not going to happen in North Miami Beach," Garcia said.


About the Author:

Kristi Krueger has built a solid reputation as an award-winning medical reporter and effervescent anchor. She joined Local 10 in August 1993. After many years co-anchoring the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m., Kristi now co-anchors the noon newscasts, giving her more time in the evening with her family.