Lawrence residents hammered by last month’s tornadoes soon could get state assistance to help shield them from danger in future storms.

The Kansas Division of Emergency Management plans to set aside as much as $700,000 to help build “safe rooms” for people whose property was destroyed or suffered major damage during tornadoes in 15 Kansas counties.

In Lawrence, a May 8 tornado caused $6.4 million in damage by damaging 98 structures, for a total of 192 living units.

“This is a proactive approach to protecting your family, your friends and yourself,” said Julie Eichem, mitigation planner for the division.

Eichem said the division expected the money to become available soon, possibly in a couple of weeks. The division will be willing to pay 75 percent of the cost of installing a safe room, up to $2,000.

Such safe rooms — made from concrete, reinforced forms or wood frames sheathed in steel — typically cost $2,700 in new construction, and they are rated to withstand winds of up to 318 mph.

Applications will be reviewed on a priority basis, Eichem said:

l Residents of affected areas whose properties suffered the most damage — at least 50 percent of the property’s value — will get first crack at grants. Such property owners must use the property as a primary residence; in Lawrence, six property owners would qualify in this category.

l Next will be residents whose properties suffered documented damage, such as a loss of shingles or broken windows.

l Last will be residents of affected areas whose properties suffered no damage.

Eichem said she expected the money to be used up by property owners with severe damage. Many of those residents are rebuilding their homes, and she’s hoping that the grants can be approved in time to incorporate them into the reconstruction.

Paula Phillips, the county’s director of emergency management, said that retrofitting an existing home with a safe room could cost about $6,000.

The Kansas Department of Commerce and Housing also is gearing up for a grant program of its own.

The department has $600,000 from the federal Community Development Block Grant program set aside for financing construction of community shelters in counties affected by last month’s tornadoes.

In Douglas County, the cities of Lecompton, Baldwin and Eudora would be eligible. Tonganoxie, in Leavenworth County, also would be eligible.

¢ 6News video: State to distribute money to build safe rooms

Shelter grants could reach as high as $200,000, and they could be used to build a shelter to be owned by a city, county, not-for-profit organization or a private mobile home park.

“For the smaller communities, this is a tremendous opportunity to put in a piece of infrastructure that will protect their citizens literally for decades,” said Salih Doughramaji, who is organizing the program for the department.

Aug. 1 is the application deadline for community shelter grants.