FEMA Grant to Help Build Tornado Shelters in Oklahoma

Residents of a southern Oklahoma town that was devastated by a deadly tornado are getting help to build storm shelters in their homes.

Lone Grove City Manager Marianne Elfert says half of a $600,000 Federal Emergency Management Agency grant will go to the town’s residents, and the rest will go to other Carter County residents.

Eight people died and homes and businesses were destroyed when an EF-4 tornado ripped through the town Feb. 10.

Elfert says she doesn’t know if shelters would have saved those who died, but officials must try to minimize loss of life in the future.

A homeowner will get a rebate of 75 percent of the installation cost of an above-ground safe room or underground shelter costing up to $2,000.

Information from: The Daily Ardmoreite, www.ardmoreite.com