Storm Shelter Funds Available to Mississippi Flood Victims

People affected by the April 24 and May 1 tornadoes and floods in Mississippi can get up to $4,000 toward the cost of building a reinforced storm shelter inside their homes.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said people whose homes were damaged or destroyed by those storms will be considered first, but others may apply.

The “safe room” grants cover Alcorn, Attala, Benton, Choctaw, Holmes, Lafayette, Monroe, Oktibbeha, Tippah, Tishomingo, Union, Warren and Yazoo counties.

The program reimburses up to 75 percent of eligible costs, up to $4,000.

The money comes from the Federal Emergency management Agency’s hazard mitigation grant program, and the shelter must be built according to designs and criteria available on FEMA’s website.