May 18, 2013
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee is building more community tornado shelters while other states are using federal funds to help homeowners build their own.
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency committed $46 million to building public shelters.
But in Oklahoma, in the heart of Tornado Alley, officials are reimbursing homeowners 75 percent of the cost of building approved shelters.
The station reported Oklahoma is closing public shelters, finding it puts people at greater risk to drive to one when a tornado threatens.
TEMA Director James Bassham said people who can afford their own storm shelters should build them, but the state will continue building community shelters.
Gov. Bill Haslam said if data showed other states were having better results with private shelters, he would look at it.
