Janelle Bludau
jbludau@newscenter25.com
Updated: 2/22 11:10 pm
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Evacuation Dome
Even though a gorgeous weekend is in store it's not too early to start thinking about the 2013 hurricane season, which starts in just a few months. With the help of FEMA, a new tool in Jackson County will help the area recover faster from any natural disaster.
Edna high school's new gym may not look like your typical sports center, and that's because it's not. The dome in Edna is among 23 being built along the Texas gulf coast to provide shelter during disasters to first responders. Construction started a year ago and when complete, the dome will be able to withstand hurricane force winds, while also housing more that 7-hundred people. Officials said the dome allows first responders to get the community up and running as soon as possible. In addition to the durable roof, the building will have double the resistance but in the meantime the dome will have a different purpose. Lori McLennan the emergency management coordinator in Jackson County said the dome should be complete within six to eight weeks. She said the funding for the dome was a 75-25% split with the government picking up 75% of the cost. Once built, the cost of the construction will come to about two and half million dollars.
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