County considers tornado shelters

A request by EMS director Leland Reed for permission to apply for an EMT grant was approved by the Board of Supervisors before a request to apply for a Hazard Mitigation grant to purchase small tornado shelters.

The board was overwhelmingly favorable to his request to go for a grant for tornado shelters, and discussions arose on how many to ask for and where they would be located.

Each tornado shelter will hold 10 people, Reed said.

“I would go with six above-ground shelters and place them at community centers,” Reed said.

He asked for a letter of intent to apply. The county's share would be 10 percent of the grant, with the federal agency (Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA) covering 90 percent of the share.

“We could put one in Barton at the substation,” Reed said. Reed said the grant may allow the county to put up in-kind for the 10 percent share, which he expects could run from $8,000 to $10,000.

“I think you should do more — double it,” said District 1 supervisor Charles Terry.

Reed suggested one could go at the fire department/tax office in Byhalia and another at the new zoning office on J.M. Ash Drive in Holly Springs.

“I think it would be a good grant to start and add more every year,” he said.

District 3 supervisor Keith Taylor wanted to go for an in-kind match.

“I don't think six even touches the surface,” Taylor added.

Board attorney Amanda Whaley Smith asked if the application has conditions.

“There is a need for it,” Taylor said. “Six is no where enough.” “We need to look carefully at accessibility,” said District 4 supervisor George Zinn III.

“We get calls all the time asking if there are shelters in the county,” said 911 director Stacey Reed.

“I motion for twelve,” Zinn said. District 5 supervisor Ronnie Joe Bennett asked for more time to discuss the matter. The application is due in February. Taylor asked if the shelters could be placed where they are needed. “Most counties are putting them at fire stations,” said the EMS director. “I just need the number. I think it is a good program to get into.”

“Rural areas are where the problem is,” Taylor said. “We need to know where you can put them.” “I don't know when I will get the specifics,” Reed said. “I am trying to get a notice of intent (to apply for the grant) to file and how many you want to ask for.” “The number and location,” Terry added.

Reed said the units would need to have electronic locks that can be opened remotely so the shelters would not be left open and homeless people would move in them.

Terry suggested the county apply for 20 shelters.

Taylor agreed saying if the county only got six, “it will just open up a can of worms.” Bennett said if the county put one by a person's house another resident will “raise cane” for not getting it located at their house.

“If you put them at the fire house, everybody is going to ask, `why didn't you put it next to my house,' “ Bennett said.

Terry asked how much the county's match would be for 20.

Reed said $120,000. Terry made a motion to apply for 20. Bennett made a motion to table the decision for more discussion, and Taylor seconded the motion. The motion was brought to the floor for a vote. The motion to table passed 4-1 with Zinn voting nay.