In 2025, we announced plans to build a storm safe room for our community. After a few bumps in the road, we have an exciting update!

FEMA has allocated the funds for the storm safe room as of March 4, 2026. There was some delay due to a newly added review process, but that process has now been completed and funding is officially allocated. FEMA is awarding $70,000 as the first of three increments of an overall $1.2 million grant through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to Eau Claire County for the construction of a safe room in the Hillcrest Estates mobile home park neighborhood.

"FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program enables communities to implement critical mitigation measures to reduce or eliminate the risk of future disaster losses," said Tom Sivak, Regional Administrator for FEMA Region 5. "This project will enable local residents to have a safe place to go when severe weather threatens the Altoona area."

Contractors are currently making updates, and we will continue working with the city to move the project forward. Construction is targeted to begin in May/June of 2026, with completion expected by the end of the year.

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.

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.

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.

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.