State and federal “Safe Room” program is helping Hoosiers weather the storms

Data shows that tornado property damage in the state this year has already reached over $30 million. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security is trying to help those without safe storm shelters prepare for what these storms can bring.  IPR’s Thomas Ouellette reports on the state’s use of a federal “safe room” program.

Steven Shaikh of Fort Wayne has a storm shelter built with funding from the “residential safe room” program.  Shaikh’s home doesn’t have a basement, so when storm sirens went off, all his family could do was sit in a pantry.  He says concerns over the next natural disaster were always on his mind.

“I’ve been like fearful of tornadoes all my life in the United States till the day I got this shelter. Now I sleep in peace where storms are concerned. I’m not afraid because I can grab my, family, grab a cat, you know, and run into it.”

Read More: Tornado causes significant damage in Delaware and Randolph counties

Indiana uses money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to fund 75 percent or up to $5,000 of the cost of the safe room.  The Indiana Department of Homeland Security says the storm shelters can provide “near-absolute protection in extreme weather events.”

Shaikh says he never would have been able to afford the shelter had it not been for the program.

According to the National Center for Environmental Information, last year saw the highest amount of property damage from tornadoes in over a decade.  Damages totaled more than $40 million. This year is following closely behind.

Read More: Indiana may see more tornado outbreaks, variability in the future

The “residential safe room” program has been assisting Hoosiers since 2015.  This year marks the first time the recipient pool has been increased from 20 to 25.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security will provide financial assistance to those who are picked, but it is up to the owner to find a contractor. Officials from the department want individuals to note that there is no such thing as an IDHS- or FEMA-certified storm shelter. Rather, both entities have guidelines that contractors have to follow.

Hoosiers interested in the program can apply on the IDHS website. Recipients of the funding are chosen by random through a lottery system.

Thomas Ouellette is our reporter and producer.  Contact him at thomas.ouellette@bsu.edu.