Welcome to the Sand Springs Round Up Club
What is going on in and around our community
ReâNewâal Sale
Craft & Bazaar Items
Bake Sale
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Date: November 19, 2011
Time: 7:00 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Harvest Church
1601 W. 4th Street
Sand Springs, OK
FMI: 245-0193 or LaVola @ 640-7221
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 28, 2011
Governor Fallin, Emergency Management Officials Announce Safe Room Rebate Program
OKLAHOMA CITY â Governor Mary Fallin kicked off the Sooner Safe - Safe Room Rebate Program today during a news conference at the Oklahoma Capitol. With this announcement, more than $1 million in rebates were made available to Oklahoma homeowners for the construction of individual safe rooms and storm shelters. Officials anticipate the funding will help deliver about 500 safe rooms.
âI urge all Oklahomans to take every step possible in preparing for severe weather,â Fallin said. âSafe rooms offer an invaluable way to protect your family during a storm and the Sooner Safe - Safe Room Rebate Program can help Oklahoma homeowners in accomplishing that goal.â
The program is a partnership between the state and federal government. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) delivered the funding, the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management will manage the program, and OK.gov is administering the Web site portal where Oklahomans can register to be eligible for the rebates.
âWeâre pleased to be bringing this statewide program back to Oklahoma,â Oklahoma Emergency Management Director Albert Ashwood said. âWe appreciate all the work of our partners in helping to make this happen.â
The program provides a 75-percent rebate â up to $2,000 â to eligible Oklahomans who install above-ground or below-ground safe rooms. To apply for the rebate, Oklahomans should register online at www.soonersafe.ok.gov. Recipients will be selected by random computer drawing annually.
Funding priority will be given to residents whose homes were destroyed in tornadoes that garnered presidential disaster declaration for individual assistance each year. For example, this program year, so far, the April 14, 2011 Tushka tornado and May 22-25, 2011 tornadoes in central and northeastern Oklahoma qualify for funding priority.
The 2011 program drawing is set for Jan. 3, 2012. Following the annual drawing, recipients will be notified by e-mail and given until September 30 of each year to construct the safe room to FEMA standards and submit all required documentation to the state.
To meet FEMA requirements, safe rooms cannot be installed prior to the rebate drawing and notification period in order to be eligible for the program.
Register Online for the Rebate Program
The registration process is easy. To register, go online to www.soonersafe.ok.gov. The following information is needed:
· Name and e-mail address
· Property physical address
· Year home was built
· FEMA registration number, if applicable, and if home was destroyed
Safe rooms save lives
Following the 1999 and 2003 Oklahoma tornado outbreaks, OEM worked with FEMA to help fund nearly 10,000 individual above and below ground safe rooms across the state through a rebate program. Since that time safe room programs have been emphasized at the local level.
Independent of this statewide initiative, community-based individual safe room rebate programs also will continue. These programs require municipalities and counties to serve as the grant applicant; to manage the program and be responsible for securing the 25 percent funding match.
What qualifies as a safe room?
For the purposes of this program, the term safe room will include any above or below ground shelter which meets or exceeds FEMA 320 guidelines for building a residential safe room.
For more information about safe rooms or to download a copy of FEMA Publication 320, which contains recommended construction plans for safe rooms, visit the FEMA website www.fema.gov/mit/saferoom.
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Editorâs Note. The following contacts are available for more information:
Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management
Michelann Ooten, Deputy Director; (405) 205-1879 mobile
Keli Cain, Public Information Specialist; (405) 590-0120 mobile
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SoonerSafe
Safe Room Rebate Program
Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management
Rules & Regulations
About SoonerSafe
The SoonerSafe - Safe Room Rebate Program was developed by the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management to provide a rebate for purchase and installation of safe rooms for Oklahoma homeowners.
Oklahoma is providing this safe room rebate program through the use of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program through FEMA funds that the State receives as a result of presidentially-declared disasters.
The intent of OEM is to offer this program on an annual basis, contingent upon federal funding.
About safe rooms
For the purposes of this program, the term safe room will include any above or below ground shelter which meets or exceeds FEMA 320 guidelines for building a residential safe room. For more information about safe rooms or to download a copy of FEMA Publication 320, which contains recommended construction plans for safe rooms, visit the FEMA website www.fema.gov/mit/saferoom.
Safe rooms save lives. In an average year, 800 tornadoes are reported nationwide, resulting in 80 deaths and more than 1,500 injuries. A safe room provides a shield of protection for you and your family.
Safe rooms have been proven to be tremendously safe. Studies demonstrate that a safe room can survive winds as high as 250 miles per hour (Source: FEMA Publication 320).
How the program works
You may register for the SoonerSafe - Safe Room Rebate Program online at www.soonersafe.ok.gov. Registering ensures you will be considered for the program, but does not guarantee that you will receive a rebate.
The program will use a random selection process to select names so that everyone who registers will have an equal chance to be selected. For that reason, the order of registration does not improve the odds of being selected.
However, all Oklahoma homeowners whose homes were destroyed in the April 14, 2011 tornado or May 22-25, 2011 tornadoes will receive priority selection for a safe room rebate as part of this yearâs program, if they meet all eligibility requirements.
A maximum rebate of $2,000 is available per home, not to exceed 75 percent of the actual cost of the safe room.
Only one person may register per physical home address.
Once you have registered, you may change your address or other information at any time. Additionally, if you change your mind, or move out of state, you may log in to your account and delete your application.
If you cannot remember your account login information, there is an option on the account login page to reset your password or username.
The randomly selected recipients will be notified on or after January 3, 2012. You will be notified if you are selected for the rebate via the email address you provide when you register. Please be sure to use an email address you check regularly. You may also log in to your account at any time to check the status.
If you are selected to receive a rebate
If your application is selected, you will have 30 days to confirm your participation. You may choose not to participate at this time, but still be eligible for future selection.
Once you have confirmed your participation, you will have until September 30, 2012 to install the safe room on your property and submit all of the required documentation verifying that your safe room meets or exceeds FEMA Publication 320 specifications.
Final required documents are under review by FEMA and the OEM.
You cannot receive your rebate before your safe room is installed. The rebate is only available as a partial reimbursement after construction is completed and you have submitted the required documentation verifying that your safe room meets or exceeds FEMA Publication 320 specifications.
Eligibility Rules
Any type of safe room is eligible for the rebate as long as it meets or exceeds the specifications set forth in FEMA Publication 320. Many local building codes require a permit and inspection by local building inspectors.
Additionally, you may have a safe room installed in a new or existing home, either in an interior room on the first floor, underground on the first floor, as a detached above-ground or underground safe room and within 100 feet of the home. Wherever you install it, the Safe room should be readily accessible to all occupants.
For this yearâs program, any Oklahoma homeowner whose home was destroyed in the April 14, 2011 tornado or May 22-25, 2011 tornadoes will receive priority selection for a safe room rebate, providing that all other terms and conditions for eligibility are met. You will need your FEMA case number for confirmation.
Additional eligibility rules are as follows:
· To be eligible, the safe room must be installed at primary residences and must be installed on property owned by the applicant.
· Apartment complexes, duplexes, and other multi-family residences are not eligible for this rebate, as they are considered businesses. This safe room rebate program is for single-family homes only.
· If you own two or more homes, you may only register for a safe room rebate for your primary residence.
· Community or neighborhood safe rooms are not eligible for this rebate.
· If you live in a mobile home, you must own both the mobile home itself and the land it is located on to be eligible for the rebate.
· If you live in a rented house you are not eligible for this rebate. Only single-family residential homeowners are eligible to receive the rebate for their primary residence.
· If you have already installed a safe room, or are having it installed now, that safe room is not eligible for this rebate. Previously installed safe rooms are not eligible.
· Retrofitting or repairing an existing storm shelter to meet FEMA specifications does not qualify. However, you may be eligible for a new safe room.
· If your home is in a floodplain and you have flood insurance, you may be eligible for the rebate. You would not be eligible for a below ground safe room, but you may be eligible for an above ground safe room. However, other agencies will have to approve your specific situation. You may be required to provide more information.
· If you live on historic property, or in a historic district you may be eligible for the rebate. However, other agencies will have to approve your specific situation. You may be required to provide more information.
· If your home was destroyed in a tornado and you plan to rebuild your home in a different location than your previous home you are eligible for this rebate, as long as you are building in Oklahoma and it is your primary residence.
· If your home was destroyed in Oklahoma and you are rebuilding your home out of state you are not eligible for this rebate. The safe room must be built in Oklahoma.
· You may not build or install the safe room yourself.
Additional Information
The cost of a safe room varies depending on a number of factors, including size and type of safe room. Construction industry experts estimate the cost to range from $2,000 to $8,000 or more.
If you receive this rebate you will not have to claim it as income on your taxes. The safe room rebate is exempt from tax liability as a federally-funded assistance program.
The Oklahoma Constitution provides that up to 100 square feet of a safe room installed after January 1, 2002 shall be exempt from taxation.
There are no State or Federal tax incentives associated with this safe room rebate program at this time.
Sooner Safe
Safe Room Rebate Program
Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Q. What is the SoonerSafe - Safe Room Rebate Program?
A. A program to provide a rebate for purchase and installation of safe rooms for Oklahoma homeowners.
2. Q. What is a safe room?
A. For the purposes of this program, the term safe room will include any above or below ground shelter which meets or exceeds FEMA 320 guidelines for building a residential safe room. For more information about safe rooms or to download a copy of FEMA Publication 320, which contains recommended construction plans for safe rooms, visit the FEMA website www.fema.gov/mit/saferoom.
3. Q. Why do I need a safe room?
A. Safe rooms save lives. In an average year, 800 tornadoes are reported nationwide, resulting in 80 deaths and more than 1,500 injuries. A safe room provides a shield of protection for you and your family.
4. Q. How safe is a safe room?
A. Studies demonstrate that a safe room can survive winds as high as 250 miles per hour (Source: FEMA Publication 320).
5. Q. How is Oklahoma able to provide this safe room rebate program?
A. Through the use of Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds that the State receives as a result of presidentially-declared disasters.
6. Q. How do I register for this safe room rebate program?
A. You may register online at www.soonersafe.ok.gov. Registering ensures you will be considered for the program, but does not guarantee that you will receive a rebate.
7. Q. Does registering on this website mean that I will receive a rebate?
A. Registering ensures you will be considered for the program, but does not guarantee that you will receive a rebate.
8. Q. How will you select who receives rebates?
A. The SoonerSafe - Safe Room Rebate Program will use a random selection process to select names so that everyone who registers will have an equal chance to be selected. However, any Oklahoma homeowner whose home was destroyed in the April 14, 2011 tornado or May 22-25, 2011 tornadoes will receive priority selection for a safe room rebate as part of this yearâs program.
9. Q. What is the maximum rebate amount that I could receive?
A. A maximum rebate of $2,000 is available per home, not to exceed 75 percent of the actual cost of the safe room.
10. Q. What types of shelters are eligible for the rebate?
A. Any type of safe room is eligible for the rebate as long as it meets or exceeds the specifications set forth in FEMA Publication 320. Also, many local building codes require a permit and inspection by local building inspectors. Retrofitting an existing storm shelter to meet FEMA specifications does not qualify, however. Only new safe rooms are eligible.
11. Q. What types of homes are eligible for safe rooms?
A. The safe room must be installed by individual homeowners in primary residences and must be installed on property owned by the applicant. The program is limited to single-family homes.
12. Q. My home or mobile home was destroyed in this yearâs tornado. Will I receive any special priority for this rebate?
A. Yes. For this yearâs program, any Oklahoma homeowner whose home was destroyed in the April 14, 2011 tornado or May 22-25, 2011 tornadoes will receive priority selection for a safe room rebate, providing that all other terms and conditions for eligibility are met. You will need your FEMA case number for confirmation.
13. Q. I live in a mobile home. Am I eligible for this rebate?
A. Perhaps. Mobile home residents must own both the mobile home itself and the land it is located on to be eligible for the rebate.
14. Q. I live in a rented house, but I want to build a safe room. Can I get this rebate?
A. No. Only single-family residential homeowners are eligible to receive the rebate for their primary residence.
15. Q. Is an apartment complex, duplex or other multi-family residence eligible for this rebate?
A. No. For the purpose of this initiative, apartment complexes, duplexes or other multi-family residences are considered businesses. This safe room rebate program is for individual homeowners, not businesses.
16. Q. I own two or more homes. Can I register for a safe room rebate for each home I own?
A. No. You are only eligible for a rebate for your primary residence.
17. Q. I would like to install a community or neighborhood safe room. Am I eligible for this rebate?
A. No. The rebate is for individual homeowners only.
18. Q. If I have already installed my safe room or am having it installed now, am I eligible for this rebate?
A. No. Previously installed safe rooms are not eligible.
19. Q. Can multiple people in my household register for a rebate?
A. No. Only one person may register per physical home address.
20. Q. When is the safe room rebate registration deadline for this yearâs program?
A. The random selection process will take place on January 3, 2012.
21. Q. How will I be notified if I am selected for a rebate?
A. You will be notified via the email address you provide when you register. Please be sure to use an email address you check regularly. The list of selected registration numbers will be available at oem.ok.gov after the selection process takes place. You may also log in to your account at any time to check the status.
22. Q. If my application is selected, what will I need to do to receive my rebate?
A. Final required documentation is under review by FEMA and OEM.
23. Q. If my application is selected, how long do I have to get my safe room installed?
A. You have until September 30, 2012 to install the safe room on your property and submit all of the required documentation verifying that your safe room meets or exceeds FEMA Publication 320 specifications.
24. Q. How long will it take to receive my rebate check after I install my safe room and provide all of the required documentation?
A. Shortly after the required documentation is verified by the State of Oklahoma.
25. Q. Can I mail or fax in a registration form instead of submitting it online?
A. No. Registration is only available online at www.soonersafe.ok.gov.
26. Q. Can I change my address or other information on my application after I register?
A. Yes. You may log back in to your account at any time to update your information.
27. Q. How do I delete my application if I change my mind or move out of state?
A. You may log in to your account at any time and delete your application if necessary.
28. Q. If I am selected, will I be required to install a safe room?
A. No. Once you are notified that you have been selected, you will have 30 days to confirm your participation. You may choose not to participate at this time but still be eligible for future selection.
29. Q. I cannot remember my account login information. How can I access my account?
A. There is an option on the account login page to reset your lost password or username.
30. Q. My home was destroyed in a tornado. I plan to rebuild my home in a different location than my previous home. Am I eligible for this rebate if I install a safe room?
A. Yes, as long as you are building in Oklahoma and it is your primary residence.
31. Q. My home was destroyed in Oklahoma and I am rebuilding my home out of state. Am I eligible for this rebate?
A. No. The safe room must be built in Oklahoma.
32. Q. I have an old shelter that is in disrepair. Can I get a rebate to fix it?
A. No, but you may be eligible for a new safe room.
35. Q. I want to build a safe room myself, without a contractor, using FEMA Publication 320. If I provide receipts for materials, will I be eligible for this rebate?
A. No.
36. Q. Where should I install a safe room?
A. You can install a safe room in a new or existing home, either in an interior room on the first floor, underground on the first floor or as a detached above-ground or underground safe room and within 100 feet of the home. Wherever you install it, the safe room should be readily accessible to all occupants.
37. Q. What is the cost of a safe room?
A. Safe room construction costs vary depending on a number of factors including size and type of safe room. Construction industry experts estimate the cost to range from $2,000 to $8,000 or more.
38. Q. If I am selected, can I receive my rebate before my safe room is installed so that I can pay my contractor?
A. No. The rebate is only available as a partial reimbursement after construction is completed and you have submitted the required documentation verifying that your safe room meets or exceeds FEMA Publication 320 specifications.
39. Q. Am I eligible for a rebate if my home is in a floodplain and I have flood insurance?
A. Perhaps. You would not be eligible for a below ground safe room, but you may be eligible for an above ground safe room. However, other agencies will have to approve your specific situation. You may be required to provide more information as needed.
40. Q. I live in a historic property or in a historic district. Am I eligible for this rebate?
A. Perhaps. However, other agencies will have to approve your specific situation. You may be required to provide more information as needed.
41. Q. If my city or county is also offering a safe room rebate program, can I participate in both?
A. Yes. This program will not affect city or county residential safe room rebate programs. If a program is being offered in your city or county, you may register for that rebate program also, as that will give you an additional opportunity to receive a rebate.
42. Q. If I am eligible to receive the rebate, will I have to claim it as income on my taxes?
A. No. The safe room rebate is exempt from tax liability as a federally funded assistance program.
43. Q. If I build a safe room, can I claim any tax exemptions?
A. Yes. The Oklahoma Constitution provides for up to one hundred square feet of a Safe room installed after January 1, 2002 shall be exempt from taxation.
44. Q. Am I eligible for any kind of State or Federal tax incentive if I build or install a safe room?
A. No. There are no State or Federal tax incentives associated with this safe room rebate program at this time.
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