Cochran, Wicker announce saferoom grants
WASHINGTON, D.C.– U.S. Senators Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker today
announced the approval of a grant request from the Mississippi Emergency
Management Agency (MEMA) to fund the construction of a
10,000-square-foot saferoom shelter in Copiah County.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has given
final approval to MEMA’s application for funding for a $3.2 million
stand-alone saferoom in Copiah County to accommodate 1,000 people for up
to 36 hours during emergencies. The saferoom will be built at 1060 Epps
Lane in Hazlehurst.
“This saferoom will give Copiah County residents a place to
seek shelter during hurricanes, tornadoes or other emergency
situations. I appreciate the continued cooperation between FEMA and the
Mississippi Emergency Management Agency to prepare south Mississippi for
dangerous situations,” said *Cochran*, who serves on the Senate
appropriations subcommittee that funds FEMA.
“In the case of a disaster, the shelter’s ability to protect up to 1,000
residents is critical in this part of Mississippi,” said *Wicker*.
“Proper preparation saves lives in an emergency. Having facilities like
this to help those in need is an important aspect of this readiness.”
FEMA will contribute just over $3.0 million in Hazard Mitigation Grant
Program funding for the facility in Copiah County. Another $160,500 in
non-federal contributions is expected to support the two-phase
construction project. In addition to being handicap accessible, the
facility will be designed to meet FEMA 361 Guidelines to include backup
water/wastewater, power generation and other emergency necessities.
The FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program provides funding to states and
local governments for long-term hazard mitigation activities designed to
reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters. Data
shows that investments in hazard mitigation before a disaster to prevent
damages and save lives creates a net savings of taxpayer dollars during
post-disaster response and recovery periods.
