The cost of inflation is a small price to pay for safety.
With the help of a FEMA grant and matching funds from a local businessman, a tornado dome that can double as a community shelter went up in Pataskala, Ohio.
"Historically we've had some serious tornadoes here in Licking County with our data going back 55, 60 years," said Licking County Environmental Planner Jim Mickey.
"Our goal is to, obviously, to protect the residents here, save lives, reduce injuries in severe weather events, but also use this as an opportunity to educate people how they can better protect their families and their community in severe weather."
One of the greatest dangers in tornadoes is injury from flying debris, which can act like projectiles, penetrating walls.
The dome is 50 feet wide and 18 feet tall, capable of withstanding 250 mile-per-hour winds. The wind-resistant pliable fabric within the dome is reinforced with steel attached to a four-by-six concrete foundation and sealed with polyurethane foam.
"It's kind of a shelter in a full-service building to provide for these people in this modular park, so it's really great, and when severe weather comes, they've got someplace to go," said Licking County's Director of Homeland Security Jeff Walker.
The shelters, which cost about $229,000, are invaluable. Licking County plans to have up to six tornado shelters completed by the end of the year.
