In new residences, homeowners will be encouraged to build safe rooms. Safe rooms can also be added on to a structure either through conventional construction techniques or as a kit offered by various vendors, although they would need to meet the new national performance standards to be considered as safe rooms. Five manufactured home parks have been selected as demonstration projects under the grant for high wind enhancement retrofit of their community centers to afford residents in increased level of protection during tornado warnings. These parks will also receive early warning systems such as NOAA Weather Radios as well as the development of a comprehensive disaster preparedness, mitigation response and recovery plan. If these model programs prove to be economical and effective, other manufactured home parks in the state will be encouraged to include high wind protection enhancements in their new construction projects.
Public education is an essential element of the program.
Public service announcements, as well as other video tapes and educational materials have been produced or are in production to educate the public, general contractors and building officials as well as elected officials on the importance of early warning, protective actions and safe construction as well as hazardous weather conditions in Florida. Additionally, the Florida Warning and Information Network will install Emergency Satellite Communications voice and data communications enhancements at the state and all 67 county warning points, as well as all of the Emergency Alert System television and radio stations in the state. This up-grade will provide a back up means of communications should conventional systems fail during disasters. Finally, funds from the Florida Warning and Information Network program will help upgrade the river gauge system in Florida. As part of the early warning component, past years have shown that serious life-threatening impacts can result from flooding.