Burnsville storm shelter officially opens

By Katie Nichols (Contact) | Selma Times-Journal

Published Saturday, March 14, 2009

BURNSVILLE — The area’s storm shelter officially opened Saturday afternoon, although it was already broken in.

The storm shelter behind Burnsville Volunteer Fire Department protected an average of 40 people during two different storms.

“Three weeks ago we used the storm shelter when we had that severe weather come through,” said Commissioner Roy Moore, who represents Burnsville. “When we were looking where to put this storm shelter we looked at Valley Grande and other areas. We chose a place that would likely receive the most damage due to the number of mobile homes.”

Three weeks ago when people gathered into the shelter, some community residents remained in their homes and saw the damage high winds could cause.

“A woman’s mobile home roof was blown off,” EMA Director Rhonda Abbott said. “I asked her if she knew there was a shelter here, and she told me no. Hopefully [Saturday’s grand opening] will let people know it is here for them.”

Tornadoes and damaging winds are not new to Alabama. The National Weather Service reported in the past five years the state has averaged 40 tornadoes per year. Since 1831 Dallas County has experienced 39 tornadoes that have resulted in death or loss of property.

“Shelters provide security for people who might not have the safest place to live,” Moore said.

Currently there are three shelters in Dallas County — Burnsville, Orrville and Tipton.

“Even with a lot of people in here it isn’t that loud,” Burnsville Fire Department Chief Steve Brewer said. “When you close the doors, you really can’t hear the wind outside. The nice thing about this shelter is it is handicapped accessible, and we have older residents around that it helps.”

The storm shelter’s location also helps because the volunteer fire department has a medical staff that can assist during a tornado.

Commissioner Larry Nickles, who attended the Orrville shelter opening in February, said shelters aren’t just for people in mobile homes.

“There is a lot of debris that can damage a home, too,” he said. “Storm shelters make it so you don’t have to worry about that. They really are a great thing for a community to have.”

No one looks forward to using a storm shelter, but everyone appreciates them, Moore said.

“We never want to open up the shelter because of a tornado, but it will happen some time,” he said. “Whenever that time comes, though, residents will be glad it is here.”

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