Ohio homeowners who would like to add a tornado shelter to their residence may be eligible for a rebate from the Ohio Emergency Management Agency.
Details about the Ohio Safe Room Rebate Program, which provides a rebate for the purchase and installation of safe rooms for homeowners, were announced Monday by the Mitigation and Recovery Branch of the Ohio EMA. State officials anticipate the program will aid in the construction of approximately 39 safe rooms.
A safe room is an extreme-wind shelter or space that provides protection to people during a tornado or high wind event. A safe room can be built in one of several places in the home: in the basement, beneath a concrete foundation or garage floor, or in an interior room on the first floor. A safe room can also be buried in the yard near the home or installed above ground, exterior of the home.
"Not only is Ohio at risk of EF5 tornadoes, since as far back as 1968, the state has actually had nine," Steve Ferryman, Ohio EMA mitigation branch chief, said in a release. "EF5 tornadoes produce winds exceeding 200 mph and are capable of destroying most structures. A safe room is built to withstand these winds and airborne debris. A safe room provides near-absolute protection for its occupants."
Residents selected for the program are eligible for a rebate up to 75 percent of the cost to install or construct a safe room — up to a maximum of $5,250.
To apply for the Ohio Safe Room Rebate Program, homeowners have until 5 p.m. April 18 to register on the Ohio EMA website: https://ohiosharpp.ema.state.oh.us/saferoom2014/.
The Ohio Safe Room Program will use a computerized random-selection process to select names. Chosen homeowners will be notified by e-mail on or after April 22.
Funding for the rebate program is provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Pre-Disaster Mitigation grant program. Homeowners selected will be responsible for 25 percent of the costs and any additional costs over the maximum rebate of up to $5,250.
Safe rooms constructed or installed under the program must meet FEMA requirements. Safe rooms cannot be constructed or installed prior to the rebate drawing and notification from Ohio EMA to proceed with construction.
The Ohio EMA intends to offer this rebate program on an annual basis, contingent upon the availability of federal and state funding.
