Although Walker County, Alabama, just west of Birmingham was spared extensive damage during the April 2011 tornadoes that devastated several communities, work has begun on two of the 21 modular storm shelters approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Concrete pads have been poured in the Thach community and also in Nauvoo, as mountaineagle.com reports. After the concrete cures for 21 days, Aqua Marine Enterprises will begin installing the shelters, each valued at $100,000. Designed to hold up to 100 people and to withstand an EF5 tornado, the federal hazard mitigation grant requires 25 percent in matching funds from the municipalities receiving the units. MHProNews.com has learned shelters are also scheduled for Parrish, Cordova, Carbon Hill, Oakmon and Sumiton.

(Photo credit: Fox News–tornado damage, Alabama April 2011)