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Most successful community shelter projects integrate three streams—grants, financing, and local contributions—into a single budget. The reason? Federal mitigation grants rarely cover 100 percent. Loans and bonds cover gaps and timing. Local dollars can unlock the grant match and keep the project moving, so you aren’t waiting through another storm season while paperwork sits on…

Most successful community shelter projects integrate three streams—grants, financing, and local contributions—into a single budget. The reason? Federal mitigation grants rarely cover 100 percent. Loans and bonds cover gaps and timing. Local dollars can unlock the grant match and keep the project moving, so you aren’t waiting through another storm season while paperwork sits on…

Tornado risk is no longer limited to “Tornado Alley.” As severe weather expands into new regions, resilient home designs are becoming a smart differentiator and, increasingly, a buyer expectation.Strategies for Builders in an Expanding Tornado ZoneStorm resilience starts with the architecture and design phase, not as an afterthought. Builders who plan for safety from the…

Looking for a family tornado safety plan your kids can actually follow without spending all weekend on it? The goal is simple: when the threat of a tornado or severe thunderstorm looms, every family member knows where to go, what to grab, and how to communicate. There should be no debates, no scrambling, and no…

You want to know what tornado shelter liability for businesses really looks like–because leadership, insurers, or maybe even your gut is asking if the risk is worth the cost. What are your obligations? The short version: liability from tornadoes, or other severe weather events, flows through three channels: OSHA enforcement, employee injury systems, and civil…

The tornado sirens sound, and the countdown begins. A family in Central Oklahoma hears a warning and faces a split-second choice between a familiar basement staircase and a steel safe room bolted to the slab in their garage. The next decision determines the margin between minor injury and life-altering loss, between safety and disaster. Tornado…

Why Code Compliance with ICC-500 & FEMA P-320  Isn’t Just a Label, It’s a Homeowner’s LifelineTornado shelters built to ICC and FEMA standards are engineered to save lives. These life-safety structures are designed from tested materials, like high-strength steel, to meet or exceed federal best practices in wind and impact performance. The stakes are revealed…