CLANTON- Alabama Emergency Management Agency Director Art Faulkner on Thursday announced 19 Alabama applicants will receive mitigation funds totaling more than $1.1Million. The Mitigation funds will be used to assist current county applicants with projects such as, community safe rooms, generators and acquisition projects.
“Adequately funding mitigation projects is critical in preparing Alabama before the next disaster,” Alabama Emergency Management Agency Director Art Faulkner said. “I am pleased 19 applicants throughout the state will soon have the necessary federal funding that allows them to proceed with essential projects. Mitigation grants are a key resource for city and county officials to fund community safe rooms that will ultimately save lives.”
Of the 19 applicants receiving mitigation funds, 13 will receive funds for community safe rooms. The grants are being provided as a result of a federally declared disaster that occurred in December 2015. That incident included severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency defines a safe room as a hardened structure specifically designed to meet the FEMA criteria and provide near-absolute protection in extreme weather events, such as tornadoes. The occupants of a safe room built in accordance with FEMA guidance will have a very high probability of being protected from injury or death.
A total of $883,400.38 will be used to fund community safe rooms.
The following counties and entities will receive a portion of the FEMA mitigation grant.
Autauga
Chambers
Cherokee
Conecuh
Crenshaw
DeKalb
Elmore
Franklin
Houston
Jackson
Lee
Marion
Perry
Pickens
Russell
St Clair
Auburn University
Tallapoosa
Winston
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The Alabama Emergency Management Agency Press Office can be reached at 205-280-2254