169 Central Florida nursing homes not in compliance with power plan

Four former staff members of a nursing home where a dozen people died after Hurricane Irma were charged in those deaths this week.The case prompted a new law to ensure nursing homes have backup power to keep cool and protect people's health.The Orange County Fire Rescue Department answered 911 calls and evacuated residents form Brookdale Wekiwa Springs Assisted Living Facility three days after Hurricane Irma knocked out power.In South Florida, 12 people at a Hollywood Hills nursing home died, prompting lawmakers to demand backup power at Florida's 3,700 nursing homes. A new generator at The Gardens at DePugh Nursing Center in Winter Park was just inspected and approved.The generator it replaced at the nursing facility was installed in 2000. When power was lost after Hurricane Irma, the generator was strong enough to run lights and fans but not air conditioning.Al Leone was at the facility with his wife, Beverly."It wasn't pleasant," Leone said.He said senior centers need backup power."They need to get on board! Get that done. You know, we're playing with people's lives here, and comfort is what they need," Leone said.WESH 2 News Investigates found some centers are not following the law.While reviewing state records, WESH 2 News Investigates found there are 761 nursing homes and assisted living facilities in 11 Central Florida counties. Nearly 600 are in compliance with emergency power plans, but 169 are not.To see an interactive map that will let you check nursing homes and assisted living facilities in your area, and find out if they have approved emergency power plans, click here.

Four former staff members of a nursing home where a dozen people died after Hurricane Irma were charged in those deaths this week.

The case prompted a new law to ensure nursing homes have backup power to keep cool and protect people's health.


The Orange County Fire Rescue Department answered 911 calls and evacuated residents form Brookdale Wekiwa Springs Assisted Living Facility three days after Hurricane Irma knocked out power.

In South Florida, 12 people at a Hollywood Hills nursing home died, prompting lawmakers to demand backup power at Florida's 3,700 nursing homes.

A new generator at The Gardens at DePugh Nursing Center in Winter Park was just inspected and approved.

The generator it replaced at the nursing facility was installed in 2000. When power was lost after Hurricane Irma, the generator was strong enough to run lights and fans but not air conditioning.

Al Leone was at the facility with his wife, Beverly.

"It wasn't pleasant," Leone said.

He said senior centers need backup power.

"They need to get on board! Get that done. You know, we're playing with people's lives here, and comfort is what they need," Leone said.

WESH 2 News Investigates found some centers are not following the law.

While reviewing state records, WESH 2 News Investigates found there are 761 nursing homes and assisted living facilities in 11 Central Florida counties.

Nearly 600 are in compliance with emergency power plans, but 169 are not.

To see an interactive map that will let you check nursing homes and assisted living facilities in your area, and find out if they have approved emergency power plans, click here.