Kingfisher County residents gathered Tuesday, June 24th, to learn about the much-anticipated Storm Shelter Rebate Program during a mandatory meeting hosted by Kingfisher County Emergency Management.
Ryan Deatherage, Kingfisher County Emergency Manager, and Melissa Moore, Hazard Mitigation Specialist with the State of Oklahoma, detailed the eligibility requirements, application procedures, and key rules of the FEMA-backed program, which offers up to 150 rebates for storm shelter installations across the county.
The rebate covers 75% of the cost of a qualified storm shelter, up to $3,000, leaving participants responsible for at least 25% of the cost. To qualify, applicants must be legal homeowners with the shelter installed within 100 feet of their home’s foundation. Shelters located in floodplains must be installed outside designated flood zones.
Applicants are designated as either primary or alternate. Primary recipients can begin installation immediately, while alternates may be promoted if primary candidates drop out. Permits are required for those living within the city limits of Hennessey, Kingfisher, Okarche, and Cashion.
The program does not endorse specific vendors but strongly encourages applicants to get at least three quotes. All shelters must meet FEMA ICC 500-2014 standards and undergo debris impact testing. Payment must be traceable, cash is not accepted, and proof of payment is required for reimbursement. Deatherage, stated it could take up to 120 days to be reimbursed from the grant fund.
To finalize participation, attendees were required to sign a ‘program understanding’ form acknowledging all terms and conditions. County officials emphasized that this program is a rare opportunity, urging participants to choose high-quality shelters and act quickly.
For more details, visit the Kingfisher County Emergency Management website or call the number provided in the program packet. Spanish assistance is available. Photos by AAK Jack Quirk.
