THIS AREA IS KNOWN FOR STRONG STRAIGHT LINE WINDS AND TORNADOES, BUT, IT’S SURPRISING HOW MANY HOMES ARE BUILT WITHOUT A BASEMENT FOR UNDERGROUND SHELTER. JANE AND JAY EDMONDS ARE A PRIME EXAMPLE, BUILDING THEIR HOME 30 YEARS AGO, WITHOUT A SAFE PLACE TO GO IN A STORM. RECENTLY, THE COUPLE HEARD OF A PROGRAM CALLED THE SUNFLOWER SAFE RESIDENTIAL SAFE ROOM PROGRAM, DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A REBATE FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF A RESIDENTIAL SAFE ROOM FOR KANSAS HOMEOWNERS. KANSANS COULD EARN A REBATE UP TO $3,500 PER HOME OR 75 PERCENT OF THE SAFE ROOM COST, WHICHEVER IS LESS, THROUGH THE PROGRAM, MADE POSSIBLE WITH FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY.
IT WAS SO POPULAR THAT THE PROGRAM USED A COMPUTER-GENERATED LOTTERY TO SELECT ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS, AND JANE’S NAME WAS AMONG THOSE CHOSEN.
THE COMPANY “STORM DEFENSE SHELTERS” OUT OF BELTON, NOTES THAT ITS CERTIFIED TORNADO SHELTERS MEET FEMA’S STANDARDS. IT’S A LITTLE SMALL, A 6 FEET BY 12 FEET CUBE IN THE GROUND, BUT…IT WORKS.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE RESIDENTIAL SAFE ROOM PROGRAM CAN BE FOUND AT THE WEBSITE… KANSASTAG.GOV.
