WASHINGTON, D. C. – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker and Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today encouraged Mississippians affected by the tornadoes and flooding this past spring to take advantage of the safe room grants offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

“This grant will help protect homeowners and families from future storms,” said Wicker. “As Mississippians continue to recover from the devastating tornadoes and flooding, it is important that residents take advantage of these available resources.”

“This safe room program offers families an option for incorporating shelters into their homes.  The storms we experienced this spring, which claimed too many lives, show us there is a need for such shelters to provide added protection during severe weather.  I hope more Mississippians will consider applying for safe room grant assistance,” said Cochran, who serves on the Senate appropriations subcommittee that funds FEMA.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is now accepting applications for the safe room grant known as “A Safe Place to Go Program.” Residents affected by tornadoes and flooding that struck Alcorn, Attala, Benton, Choctaw, Holmes, Lafayette, Monroe, Oktibbeha, Tippah, Tishomingo, Union, Warren, and Yazoo counties on April 24 and May 1 may apply for the grant reimbursement program. Priority will be given to those whose homes were damaged or destroyed.

Through the program, the state can offer reimbursements up to 75 percent of the eligible costs not to exceed $4,000 for single-family shelters. Those eligible for the grant will need to provide a 25 percent match.

Safe room shelters must be constructed according to FEMA’s design plans and construction criteria to qualify for funding. Details regarding the safe rooms are available at http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/saferoom/residential.shtm#2. To apply for the program please visit www.msema.org. For more information call MEMA’s public information line at 866-519-MEMA (6362).

The safe rooms program began in 2001 after a series of catastrophic storms hit Mississippi. Since then, more than 6,000 Mississippians have built safe rooms as a result of the program.

###