Rowlett Residential Safe Room Rebate Program
Following the EF-4 tornado that tore through Rowlett on December 26, 2014, I sought ways to decrease the vulnerability of residents to tornadoes and other severe weather hazards. One of these was a DR-4255 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program safe room rebate project to incentivize Rowlett residents in single-family homes to install an EF-5 rated tornado safe room.
Completing this project required the use of a lot of my personal time, including nights and weekends for final site reviews. Each final site review included a 30-60 minute discussion with the participant on the City's emergency warning systems, the proper use and stocking of the safe room, and other preparedness information.
The greatest reward from this project are the phone calls, emails, and Facebook messages I still receive from residents expressing their gratitude. Many no longer have a debilitating fear of severe weather while in their homes.
