Building a shelter? Tarrant County can help through tornado safe room rebate program [Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas]

Jan. 23--FORT WORTH -- Ninety-three homeowners in Tarrant County are feeling safer after building tornado shelters financed partially by the federal government.

There's still time and money available for others do the same.

Melissa Patterson, Tarrant County's emergency management coordinator, said last week that the homeowners have taken advantage of a $400,000 federal grant to help build tornado-safe rooms or shelters.

It's a rebate program that will reimburse a homeowner or developer for half the cost of installing or building a safe room in an existing or planned home, up to $3,000.

Patterson said about $195,000 is still available. To get reimbursement, the safe room or a tornado shelter must be finished before the grant ends April 22. Officials recommend that people apply no later than March 16. Grants are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Why did the county apply for the grant?

"We are Texas," she said. "We have [tornadoes] here and there every season."

"Historically, we have seen that safe rooms prevent loss of life."

Concrete room

Connie and Ronnie McCrary are thrilled with their 6-by-6-foot storm shelter, which cost them $1,600 after the rebate.

"I feel so much safer," said Connie McCrary, who is retired from the insurance business.

She said she and other residents in the Newark Ranch subdivision in northwest Tarrant County got on board after a neighbor built a shelter.

"Oh, my gosh. There was no reason not to do it," McCrary said. "We've been through lots of storms. Also, the wind is so bad out here. It's like a prairie."

The concrete room, which was finished in September, is furnished with two large wicker chairs, a filled magazine rack and a clock.

She has already sought shelter inside once while her husband was out of town on business.

"I texted my neighbors so they wouldn't worry where I was," McCrary said.

The only problem, she said, is that their 60-pound boxer, Buddy, is afraid to go down the steep steps.

"But if we have to, we'll just throw him in," she said with a laugh.

Requirements

In order to qualify for reimbursement, a homeowner must live in a city with a mitigation plan approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency or live in unincorporated Tarrant County; be the owner occupants, builder or developer; and be living, building or developing in Tarrant County.

Eligible cities are Arlington, Azle, Bedford, Blue Mound, Dalworthington Gardens, Edgecliff, Euless, Everman, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Grapevine, Haltom City, Haslet, Hurst, Keller, Kennedale, Lakeside, Lake Worth, Mansfield, Pelican Bay, Southlake, Richland Hills, River Oaks, Saginaw, Sansom Park, Westlake, Westover Hills, Westworth Village and White Settlement.

Homeowners are not eligible if they live in a flood plain. If a house is 50 years old or older, "we must request permission from the State Historical Preservation Office before you are eligible to receive a rebate," Patterson said.

"If you live in a city, you must abide by its building and construction codes and obtain all necessary permits. If the tornado shelter or safe room is to be built in a multifamily dwelling such as a condominium or town home you must live on the ground floor."

To obtain reimbursement, homeowners must complete the safe room or tornado shelter on time, provide the National Storm Shelter Association or American Tornado Shelter Association contractor information and certification form, provide all original paid receipts, include proof of payment, provide a completed W-9, include digital pictures of the safe room or tornado shelter, give the latitude and longitude of the shelter, furnish copies of the city's building or construction permits and allow a final inspection by a city, county or designated official.

Marty Sabota, 817-390-7367

Twitter: @stcrime

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