Last Thursday's EF-1 tornado came very close to Donahue, Iowa. Now leaders in that community have pledged to build a new safe room, one big enough for nearly every resident in the town.
The tornado shelter will be a concrete bunker, built on the north side of John Glenn Elementary School, right next to the gymnasium. It will hold up to 312 people for two hours in case of a worst-case scenario. According to the 2010 census, less than 350 people live in the town.
"If we have a tornado like we had a few days ago in Donahue, those folks who don't have a basement would have a spot to go to," said John Maxwell, North Scott School Board President. "Or, if the kids are in school, we've got a spot where we can house them and everybody is safe."
Maxwell said the entire safe room project will cost approximately $1.2 million with the district paying $467,000. FEMA and the State of Iowa will pick up the bulk of the cost. The safe room will have a restroom, a generator, and a computer area.