NATCHEZ, Miss. — A new storm shelter will soon go up in Adams County.
A groundbreaking for the 12,000 square foot facility is set for Thursday morning. “It’s going to be on the site at Natchez High School. You can’t miss it once you come into town. Its right across from Wal-Mart,” explained Adams County Emergency Management Director Stan Owens.
Once complete, the FEMA 361 Safe Room will be able to hold up to 1,000 hurricane evacuees. “That’s its primary purpose. But the reason we put it at the high school is because it would also serve as a tornado shelter for the faculty and students there.” Owens said the shelter is meant to withstand 250 miles an hour sustained winds. “It’s almost, and nothing is absolute, but it’s practically tornado proof. And I’m talking EF5.”
Crews have already started removing asphalt ahead of Thursday’s groundbreaking. Construction is expected to take just over a year
