By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Congressman Spencer Bachus (R) from Vestavia announced that community storm shelters save lives at the dedication for a new storm shelter in Brent, AL.
Rep. Bachus said, “Community storm shelters save lives. We saw that again during the tornadoes that struck Alabama in April 2011. It was a pleasure to work with elected officials and civic leaders in Brent and Bibb County to build this shelter to provide citizens with safe shelter from the storm. The building will serve the additional function of providing a much-needed center for senior citizens to gather and socialize. It is a great new addition to community.”
Brent Mayor Dennis Stripling said, “There are still people who do not have a safe place to go during a tornado. We have early warning systems that can give people time to seek shelter and with this new building, we are bringing safe shelter even closer to residents of Brent and Bibb County.”
Representative Bachus was the speaker at an open house and dedication for the new storm shelter. Brent, which is in Bibb County, was devastated in a massive tornado that struck the town in 1973, killing five people. The new storm shelter is located at 10445 Highway 5.
Alabama’s senior Congressman worked with community leaders to help the people of Brent get $750,000 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds for construction of the new storm shelter, which will also serve as the area’s Senior Citizens Center.
More people have died in tornadoes in Alabama in the last 70 years than in any other state. Despite the danger many people still do not have a tornado shelter to flee to during tornado warnings.
Rep. Bachus wrote a 2003 law that encourages the building of storm shelters in manufactured home communities.
Congressman Spencer Bachus represents Alabama’s Sixth Congressional District. Bachus is Chairman of the powerful House Financial Services Committee and is seeking his eleventh term in the United States Congress. His opponent in the November 6th General Election is Penny Huggins Bailey (D), a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel from Leeds, AL.
