Four Savannah, Chatham Facilities To Get Hurricane-Proof Windows
Release Date: December 17, 2001
Release Number: R4-01-47
Atlanta, GA -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved grants to enhance the ability of four Savannah governmental structures to withstand assaults from hurricane-force winds.
The facilities include the old Chatham County Courthouse administrative building, the Savannah Emergency Operations Center Fire Station, Fire Station No. 5, and the Southside Fire Station. Total cost of the projects will be $216,410, of which $126,058 will be funded by FEMA.
All four structures became eligible for federal funding as a result of tornadoes that raked Georgia in February 2000. "The measures are intended to lessen the possibility of damage to life and property in future severe weather events," said the director of FEMA's Region IV, Kenneth O. Burris, Jr.
"This wind retrofit grant will play a vital role in helping Chatham County and Savannah maintain critical operations capabilities during severe weather events," said Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) Director Gary McConnell.
Priority has been given to wind retrofit projects, especially hurricane windows that could provide protection from deadly flying shards during a storm.
The Savannah/Chatham projects include: $72,500 in federal funding for installation of hurricane screens on all windows and openings of the Emergency Operations Center housed in the Old Chatham Courthouse; $31,058 for installation of similar window protection at the City of Savannah EOC/Fire Station and the Fire Station No. 5; and, $22,500 for similar protection at Southside Fire Station #1/EOC.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 30-Sep-2003 15:35:38