Community Safe Room Fact Sheet

This fact sheet explains the purpose, design criteria, and benefits of community safe rooms for protection against tornadoes and hurricanes. It summarizes FEMA P-361 and ICC 500 standards for safe room construction, outlines risk assessment and decision-making processes for communities, and details available federal and state funding sources. The document also addresses the role of Hazard Mitigation Officers and considerations for safe room siting, including flood hazards. It highlights the use of safe rooms in essential facilities such as schools, emergency operations centers, and community centers.