WINTER PARK, Fla. — Residents at The Mayflower at Winter Park are being relocated as the senior living community is repaired following Hurricane Ian-related flooding issues.

Some residents from the community’s independent-living apartments were relocated Wednesday, according to a statement from The Mayflower, which is arranging hotel accommodations for those who need them.

“We experienced significant water intrusion on our property — including in our underground garage, which in turn compromised our elevator controls and electrical systems,” Mayflower officials said in a statement, adding that the decision to relocate residents was “in the best interest of the safety and well-being of all concerned” while repairs are made.

Diane Greatwood, who has lived there for eight years,  says they were told right after the storm to be prepared to leave, but it still came as a shock when were told on Tuesday that they had to be out in 24 hours.

“We were told that we had to be out by Wednesday afternoon at 3 so we furiously got our medicines together and packed out what we needed and left a lot of things that we still need,” said Greatwood. 

Greatwood shared that she understands the situation and appreciates the phone message the President and CEO of Mayflower sent  to residents earlier this week with some details about the situation there. However she doesn't feel like they are being transparent enough.

“It is worrisome to us because wee have no idea what their insurance is, we don’t know if they have flood insurance, those are the kind of things the residents would like to know because we paid a big chunk to move here and it is not like we are renting because we are not,” said Greatwood. 

Building A residents moved out Wednesday and Building B residents will be moved out on Thursday, said president and CEO Steve Kramer in an emergency phone message sent out to residents Tuesday and obtained by Spectrum News. He said the plan is to have all relocations complete no later than Friday.

“I realize this is a difficult situation,” Kramer said in the message. “Please know that this decision has not been made lightly, but our focus has been, and will continue to be, on providing the highest level of service and care to our residents as possible.”

It’s expected to be three to four weeks before residents can come back, Kramer said in the message.

Residents and loved ones who reached out to Spectrum News said elevator service at the facility has been down since Sept. 29. 

“Elevator service and electrical companies have been out to assess the damage,” a Mayflower spokesperson told Spectrum News, adding that repairs can’t be done until power complications with the elevator service are resolved. They noted that resident apartments were never without power.