FEMA Awards $1.1 Million Grant to the City of Madison: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds will be used to construct a Tornado Safe Room

CHICAGO – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released $1,176,158 in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds to the city of Madison, Wis., for the construction of a safe room at the Highland Manor Mobile Home Park.

“The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program enables communities to implement critical mitigation measures to reduce the risk of loss of life and property,” said Andrew Velasquez III, regional administrator, FEMA Region V.  “The construction of this safe room will protect the lives of vulnerable citizens by providing a secure location to seek shelter from tornados and other high wind events.”

The Highland Manor Mobile Home Park has experienced numerous powerful storms in recent years.  This safe room will provide a shelter for 806 residents during a severe weather event.  The structure has been designed to accommodate the special needs of the residents, providing space for five wheelchair occupants.  The shelter will have the capability to be unlocked for use by the either the onsite manager or remotely by the City of Madison Parks Division.  To assure maximum use of the safe room, the Madison Fire Department will conduct an education campaign, including emergency drills, within the mobile home park.

“This is an important project that we believe can help save lives during severe weather,” said Brian Satula, administrator of Wisconsin Emergency Management.  “This is the second safe room at a mobile home park in Dane County for which we have provided hazard mitigation funding.”

HMGP provides grants to state and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures.  Through HMGP, FEMA will pay $1,176,158 or 75 percent of the project’s total cost.  Wisconsin Emergency Management and the city of Madison will both contribute 12.5 percent of the funds, or $196,026 each. 

“This has been a successful collaboration between the City of Madison, the property owners, the State of Wisconsin and the federal government,” said Madison Mayor Paul Soglin. “The safety of our residents is a number one concern, and this building will provide a safe shelter during Wisconsin storms.” 

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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FEMA Contact: Cassie Ringsdorf, (312) 408-4455