The announcement marks the first time the Project Impact designation has been made as a direct result of a community's response to a disaster. This community has seen time and again the devastation that a tornado can bring. Through partnerships, public education and prevention programs, residents of Xenia can reduce their losses from future disasters. Project Impact, an initiative launched by FEMA in 1997, works with state and local governments to take action to reduce the risk and prevent potential damage from disasters. Xenia's location in the Midwest makes it extremely vulnerable to tornadoes, as experienced one month ago when a F4 tornado struck the community.
Collaborative efforts are already underway in the community to prevent future devastation.
FEMA and the Ohio EMA are also working with city officials to construct safe rooms in damaged public facilities, such as the Xenia Service Center and the county fairgrounds. This initiative has demonstrated that prevention works, and Project Impact will continue to help our businesses and residents shift their focus from simply reacting to disasters to taking actions in advance to stop the destruction of property and loss of life. FEMA provides technical, administrative and financial support. Since its inception in 1997, nearly 250 communities and 2,500 business partners have embraced Project Impact. Instead of waiting for disasters to occur, Project Impact communities initiate mentoring relationships, private and public partnerships, public outreach and disaster mitigation projects to reduce damage from potentially devastating disasters.