CINCINNATI — It’s been nearly two weeks since power went out at The Regency Condos in Hyde Park after residents were left in the dark when a water main break shut the electricity off.
The water main pipe burst on June 27 around 2 a.m. and flooded the boiler room where the building’s electrical systems are located.
"It's been very stressful,” Beverly Kinney said. “We left for about three or four days because we thought it would be all reconstructed by last Saturday.”
She’s one of 300 residents who have been managing during the blackout.
“We decided after a few days that it was too uninhabitable,” Kinney said. “It was too hot. We couldn't cook. We couldn't have lights, so we went to a motel. We're back today because we're crossing our fingers that Monday we’ll be okay.”
When the electricity went out last week, the elevators were shut down in the 20-story condominium complex.
The fire department had to help some people get down the stairs as many of the people who live there are retirement age and up. Emergency power is available to run elevators and provide some lights, but it's limited.
“[We] have to come up with our own meals, lodging and transportation. It’s costly," Kinney said.
Many people have lost all of their food in their fridges. Oriental Wok, a restaurant located in the building, is also dealing with the fallout of the water main break. Saturday there was a sign on the door that said they were waiting for power restoration to re-open.
The restaurant is encouraging customers to go to its Northern Kentucky location.
The Regency's general manager, Jim Schafer, told WCPO last week that power would be back up and running in a few days.
“We're doing everything we can to get them back home and get them back in their homes and get them back to being comfortable as soon as possible,” Schafer said last week.
Residents say inspections and the new equipment is causing a delay on the restoration.
“The staff has been very cooperative,” Kinney said. “I think they're doing everything the can. It’s just an unforeseen circumstance that will happen once in a lifetime I hope.”
Residents say they’ve been told power could be restored by Monday. WCPO has reached out to the Scahfer for an updated statement but has not heard back.
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