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Storm shelter opened officially
Published Saturday, February 21, 2009
Photo by Katie Nichols
ORRVILLE — Wednesday’s threatening weather reminded Dallas County residents just how important secure shelter is during the time of a storm.
Orrville residents have a place of refuge during inclement weather as of Saturday afternoon.
“As a county commissioner, the first thing you are to be concerned about is safety,” said Larry Nickles, county commissioner for Orrville and surrounding areas. “This has been four years in the making.”
When Probate Judge Kim Ballard was the area’s county commissioner, he began to work with Commissioner Curtis Williams to provide Orrville a storm shelter.
“Originally it was going to be in a different location, but it fell through,” Williams said. “The Dallas County Board of Education was kind enough to donate their land to put the shelter on.”
The storm shelter is located behind Keith High School, and nearby residents were very grateful for the building.
Joanne Richardson-Field and Loretta James, who serve as part of the storm shelter team, live within walking distance to the shelter.
“I live in a mobile home, and I am so thankful for this shelter,” Richardson-Field said. “If there is any bad weather, I know I’ll be over here.”
James said there is a large number of mobile homes near Keith High School.
The storm shelter can hold between 95 and 125 people, but EMA Director Rhonda Abbott and Judge Maggie Drake Riddle, who is the site leader, said no one would be turned away.
“This is a first-come, first-serve basis, but we will not keep anyone from coming in,” Riddle said. “We won’t be able to let any pets in the shelter, so everyone will have to leave them at home.”
The shelter officially opened Saturday, but will not be used unless there is a tornado warning or watch.
When the alert is issued, Riddle and/or Nickles will contact other team members. The team will then open the shelter.
“The purpose of the shelter is protection,” Ballard said. “I’m glad Orrville residents have that protection.”
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Posted by amazing (anonymous) on February 22, 2009 at 10:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Everyone knows that Commissioner Clifford Hunter was the person who had this land & the storm shelter put in place. Why don't these people want to tell the truth??
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