Tornado-Hurricane Threat & Loss of Life:
Families in High Risk Areas Advised to Build a Safe Room

In 1998. the United States experienced approximately 1255 tornadoes, 42 people were killed in Kissimmee, Fla., and 34 people were killed in Birmingham, Ala. In 1999, January produced an official record 169 twisters, shattering the previous monthly record by more then 100. Earlier this month, tornadoes in Oklahoma caused 44 deaths, destroyed more than 7,500 buildings and were described by Governor Frank Keeting as possibly the worst in the history of Oklahoma.

As for hurricanes, the 1998 Atlantic hurricane season's total of 11,000 killed made it the region's deadliest in more than two centuries. Today, forecaster's emphasize "Mitch-Like Deaths Are Possible In U.S." with losses which could top 100 billion in a single hurricane. Florida is expected to take a take a major hit in coming years because of its prominent location in the hurricane channel and the massive build up of homes, businesses, and vacation spots along the State's coastal regions.

Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers a 25-page illustrated publication, Taking Shelter From the Storm: Building a Safe Room Inside Your House. The booklet outlines the basics of in-house Safe Room shelter design, including construction plans, materials and construction cost estimates. "The Safe Room project is part of an ongoing FEMA initiative to encourage people to take measures to protect themselves and their property before disasters occur. "When constructed according to the plans, the Safe Room can provide protection against winds of up to 250 miles per hour and projectiles traveling at 100 miles an hour."

FAMILIES MUST PREPARE: A ONE STOP DISASTER PREPAREDNESS RESOURCE

Humanitarian Resource Institute in cooperation with the FEMA Community & Family Preparedness Program has constructed a one stop Community & Family Preparedness resource guide on the internet. Information includes:

FEMA Guidelines for Building a Safe Room & How to Assess Your Risk: Wind Zones in the United States

National Weather Service Preparedness Guides for Tornadoes, Thunderstorm & Lightning, Floods & Flash Floods and Hurricanes.

Your Family Disaster Plan and Your Family Disaster Supplies Kit Guidelines

Disaster Planning for Pets, Livestock and Wildlife

Y2K Preparedness Information from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Department of Agriculture

Talking About Disaster Guide: For individuals and programs providing disaster safety information to the public

On the Web: http://www.fema.gov/nwz99/ok521.htm