Hillcrest Estates is set to Build a Storm Safe Room to Protect Altoona Community
At Hillcrest Estates, we’re committed to keeping our residents and neighbors safe. That’s why we’re excited to announce plans to build a storm safe room that will protect up to 890 people during severe weather. This initiative comes in response to the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, particularly tornadoes, in the region.
In 2024, Wisconsin experienced a significant rise in tornado occurrences, recording 45 tornadoes—the third-highest annual count in the state's history, surpassed only by 2005 and 2010. This alarming trend underscores the pressing need for protective measures against such natural disasters in our community.
Hillcrest Estates Secures FEMA Grant for Storm Safe Room
Recognizing this necessity, Hillcrest Estates has been proactively pursuing the development of a storm safe room since 2017. Collaborating closely with the City of Altoona, Eau Claire County, and the State of Wisconsin, the community sought funding for this critical project. Despite the project's substantial costs and limited funding avenues, persistent efforts have culminated in securing a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). This program supports initiatives that mitigate risks associated with potential hazards such as tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding, and fires.
Timeline
When will the saferoom be ready? Hillcrest Estates is currently working with the city, and WEM to plan the next steps .Once it’s complete the facility can also be used by Hillcrest Estates residents and Altoona residents, another win for the community.
The forthcoming storm safe room is designed as a hardened structure, engineered to withstand winds up to 250 mph, and will provide safety for our community during severe weather events. Currently, there aren’t any storm safe rooms in Altoona, making our storm safe rooms one of the first in the area! This addition enhances safety preparedness for both Hillcrest Estates' residents and neighboring communities. It's important to note that, unless specifically designed for such conditions, standard structures do not offer adequate protection during a tornado
Safe Room Layout
The successful realization of this project is attributed to the unwavering support and collaboration of various organizations, including the City of Altoona, Eau Claire County Emergency Management, Wisconsin Emergency Management, FEMA, the West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, and Lien and Peterson Architects. Their collective efforts have been instrumental in helping us achieve this vital need for our community.
As Hillcrest Estates moves forward with the construction of the storm safe room, the community continues to show proactive measures to safeguard its residents and show the importance of preparedness in the face of escalating natural disasters.
