WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Thad Cochran, R-Miss., today announced a $1.2 million grant to construct a multi-use safe room in Charleston, Miss.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hazard mitigation grant will go toward construction of a 2,670-square-foot safe room to protect up to 531 people from wind speeds up to 250 mph.  The facility will be located at 204 South Market Street.

“Investing in public safety prior to a disaster or emergency can help save lives.  The completion of this safe room would provide additional shelter for hundreds of Charleston residents during severe weather,” said Cochran, who is a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that has jurisdiction over FEMA funding.  “I’m pleased that FEMA recognizes the efforts made in the Delta to protect its citizens.”

“Public storm shelters are an important resource to protect people from dangerous weather conditions,” Wicker said.  “I am pleased that the city of Charleston can join the many Mississippi communities that have built these safe havens for their residents.”

The concrete monolithic dome facility would be built to meet FEMA 361 Guidelines, which include backup water and wastewater, power generation and other emergency necessities.

In May 2016, FEMA awarded an initial $111,962 for planning and design.  The new grant award will bring the total federal share of the safe room project to $1.24 million, 90 percent of the total cost of $1.37 million.  Under a 2010 provision adopted by Congress, FEMA considers the 10 percent non-federal matching requirement on this project satisfied.