Farhan Ali stands in front of his home in Portage after a devastating 2024 tornado. Michigan’s rebate program would reimburse 50 homeowners for some of the cost of installing a tornado safe room.
(Ed. note: This story was originally published by Bridge Michigan, a nonprofit and nonpartisan news organization. Visit the newsroom online: bridgemi.com.)
By Nate Miller
Bridge Michigan
In the 24 years since he founded Linden-based Patriot Builders, Charles Schultz has fielded countless demands for custom features on the homes he builds. But this spring he received a new one: Two families requested tornado safe rooms.
The requests for the FEMA-compliant shelters built to keep occupants safe in even the most severe tornadoes came after a deadly tornado touched down in Michigan on March 6, killing four people.
Now, Michigan is offering rebates to residents who include tornado safe rooms in their new construction. It’s a small program that offers a glimpse of growing concern among experts about how climate change is making Michigan storms more volatile and violent.
Tornado safe rooms are the equivalent of family-sized vaults — they may be prefabricated steel structures built by companies like Survive-A-Storm Shelters, or built of cinder blocks. Their interiors tend to be primitive, often only outfitted with benches. They come in multiple sizes and can be installed above or below ground.
Since the deadly EF-3 tornado that touched down in Michigan on March 6, Schultz has been contacted by several homeowners who are interested in tornado safe rooms.
That’s a good trend, Schultz said. He has long pushed for including the shelters in homes, because even rooms considered “safe” may not hold up against a severe tornado.
“Your basement isn’t a safe place, that’s a fact,” said Schultz. “It’s the safest place to be in that particular style of structure. It’s not a safe place to be.”
Schultz has worked on around 400 homes in Michigan throughout his career, and said he doubts the majority of them would hold up to a tornado.
“They’re held down very lightly,” he said.
To incentivize greater tornado preparedness across the state, Michigan announced a program incentivizing homeowners to install tornado safe rooms.
The program, which is run by the Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division, would reimburse up to 75% of the cost of building a safe room that complies with Federal Emergency Management Agency standards. Fifty homeowners statewide will be selected for a rebate upon filling out an online application, with 100 alternates. The application deadline is June 15. Structures built prior to approval are not eligible for reimbursement.
The funding for the reimbursement program will come from FEMA if Michigan is among the states approved for money from the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant program. If Michigan’s application is denied, homeowners will not be reimbursed.
“By supporting pre-disaster and hazard mitigation projects,” FEMA said in a statement, the federal program “aims to save lives, protect property, and reduce the cost of future disaster response and recovery.”
Over 500 people have already filled out applications for the state’s rebate program. Applicants will be selected based on the level of tornado risk in their area.
“A properly constructed tornado safe room can provide critical life-saving protection during severe weather events,” said Kevin Sweeney, deputy state director of emergency management, in a statement.
Michigan is experiencing more severe weather, with “a high chance of seeing more tornadoes and possibly bigger tornadoes,” said Lisa DeChano-Cook, a professor at Western Michigan University’s school of environment, geography and sustainability.
For instance, the tornado that hit southwest Michigan occurred in March. Never in the state’s history had Michigan been hit by such a violent tornado so early in the year, according to the National Weather Service.
While the lowest sticker prices of these prefabricated structures can be under $5,000, with transportation and installation, their overall cost is rarely below $10,000. Although some above-ground structures can be installed in garages, they require FEMA-compliant concrete pads, which can add thousands to the price tag.
Michigan’s rebate program aims to strengthen the state’s tornado preparedness, but it’s unlikely to be utilized by the state’s most vulnerable residents.
Residents of mobile homes are about 20 times more likely to be killed in a tornado. Michigan has more than 140,000 mobile homes, yet there are no state regulations on what types of tornado safety measures Michigan’s roughly 1,200 mobile home parks must provide their residents.
And, while incentivizing homeowners to build safe rooms will protect individual families, investing in infrastructure like improved tornado sirens would alert everyone within earshot of tornadoes, said DeChano-Cook.
By Nate Miller
Bridge Michigan
In the 24 years since he founded Linden-based Patriot Builders, Charles Schultz has fielded countless demands for custom features on the homes he builds. But this spring he received a new one: Two families requested tornado safe rooms.
The requests for the FEMA-compliant shelters built to keep occupants safe in even the most severe tornadoes came after a deadly tornado touched down in Michigan on March 6, killing four people.
Now, Michigan is offering rebates to residents who include tornado safe rooms in their new construction. It’s a small program that offers a glimpse of growing concern among experts about how climate change is making Michigan storms more volatile and violent.
Tornado safe rooms are the equivalent of family-sized vaults — they may be prefabricated steel structures built by companies like Survive-A-Storm Shelters, or built of cinder blocks. Their interiors tend to be primitive, often only outfitted with benches. They come in multiple sizes and can be installed above or below ground.
Since the deadly EF-3 tornado that touched down in Michigan on March 6, Schultz has been contacted by several homeowners who are interested in tornado safe rooms.
That’s a good trend, Schultz said. He has long pushed for including the shelters in homes, because even rooms considered “safe” may not hold up against a severe tornado.
“Your basement isn’t a safe place, that’s a fact,” said Schultz. “It’s the safest place to be in that particular style of structure. It’s not a safe place to be.”
Schultz has worked on around 400 homes in Michigan throughout his career, and said he doubts the majority of them would hold up to a tornado.
“They’re held down very lightly,” he said.
To incentivize greater tornado preparedness across the state, Michigan announced a program incentivizing homeowners to install tornado safe rooms.
The program, which is run by the Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division, would reimburse up to 75% of the cost of building a safe room that complies with Federal Emergency Management Agency standards. Fifty homeowners statewide will be selected for a rebate upon filling out an online application, with 100 alternates. The application deadline is June 15. Structures built prior to approval are not eligible for reimbursement.
The funding for the reimbursement program will come from FEMA if Michigan is among the states approved for money from the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant program. If Michigan’s application is denied, homeowners will not be reimbursed.
“By supporting pre-disaster and hazard mitigation projects,” FEMA said in a statement, the federal program “aims to save lives, protect property, and reduce the cost of future disaster response and recovery.”
Over 500 people have already filled out applications for the state’s rebate program. Applicants will be selected based on the level of tornado risk in their area.
“A properly constructed tornado safe room can provide critical life-saving protection during severe weather events,” said Kevin Sweeney, deputy state director of emergency management, in a statement.
Michigan is experiencing more severe weather, with “a high chance of seeing more tornadoes and possibly bigger tornadoes,” said Lisa DeChano-Cook, a professor at Western Michigan University’s school of environment, geography and sustainability.
For instance, the tornado that hit southwest Michigan occurred in March. Never in the state’s history had Michigan been hit by such a violent tornado so early in the year, according to the National Weather Service.
While the lowest sticker prices of these prefabricated structures can be under $5,000, with transportation and installation, their overall cost is rarely below $10,000. Although some above-ground structures can be installed in garages, they require FEMA-compliant concrete pads, which can add thousands to the price tag.
Michigan’s rebate program aims to strengthen the state’s tornado preparedness, but it’s unlikely to be utilized by the state’s most vulnerable residents.
Residents of mobile homes are about 20 times more likely to be killed in a tornado. Michigan has more than 140,000 mobile homes, yet there are no state regulations on what types of tornado safety measures Michigan’s roughly 1,200 mobile home parks must provide their residents.
And, while incentivizing homeowners to build safe rooms will protect individual families, investing in infrastructure like improved tornado sirens would alert everyone within earshot of tornadoes, said DeChano-Cook.
Governor Signs Bill Allowing Island to Regulate Ferry Service
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on June 3 signed into law a bipartisan bill that grants the voters of the city of Mackinac Island the opportunity to amend their charter and allow the city to regulate all aspects of ferry service to and from the island.
Since 2024, both major ferry services have been owned by one parent company. Now, Mackinac Island voters have the opportunity to vote on a change to the city charter that would grant the city the authority to regulate ferry prices and all ancillary fees associated with travel, such as baggage, parking, and early boarding options.
“Mackinac Island is Michigan’s gem, and ferry service to get there should be accessible and affordable,” Whitmer said. “I’m proud to sign this bill that empowers the people of Mackinac Island to make decisions about their economy. Tariffs and the war overseas are already making things more expensive for Michiganders. They shouldn’t have to face additional costs just to enjoy one of our state’s most beautiful places.”
The legislation was sponsored by state Sen. John Damoose, R-Harbor Springs. It passed the House May 21 on a 91-16 vote.
"Mackinac Island is a treasure for our entire state, and this legislation is critical to helping ensure our residents and visitors maintain affordable transportation to the island,” Damoose said. “In the Straits of Mackinac, the ferries are the roads. More than 80% of the island is state land, and the economies of northern Michigan and the eastern Upper Peninsula depend upon traffic to the island so we had no choice but to take action on behalf of all citizens when affordable access has been threatened by a single corporate entity.”
Senate Bill 304 authorizes an amendment to Local Act 437 of 1899 to grant the city of Mackinac Island the authority to regulate all aspects of ferry service to and from the island, including extraneous fees. Because the city of Mackinac Island is a special charter city, this change will require majority approval from Mackinac Island voters before taking effect. Mackinac Island supports nearly 5,000 jobs and welcomes an estimated 1.2 million visitors each year.
The bill comes after testimony from residents and visitors that the total cost of passage to Mackinac Island has increased from $34 to $51 after the companies raised ancillary fees for parking, extra baggage, and bike transport. While two separate ferry companies exist, they were brought under a mutual parent company in 2024.
The new law would give the city power to vote on being able monitor these prices and make ferry services more affordable. The law specifies that this power would not infringe on authorities that other cities, villages, or townships may hold over ferry services and associated costs.
Mackinac Island Mayor Margaret Doud thanked lawmakers and the governor for their work on the legislation and expressed confidence that voters in her community would approve the change in city charter.
Since 2024, both major ferry services have been owned by one parent company. Now, Mackinac Island voters have the opportunity to vote on a change to the city charter that would grant the city the authority to regulate ferry prices and all ancillary fees associated with travel, such as baggage, parking, and early boarding options.
“Mackinac Island is Michigan’s gem, and ferry service to get there should be accessible and affordable,” Whitmer said. “I’m proud to sign this bill that empowers the people of Mackinac Island to make decisions about their economy. Tariffs and the war overseas are already making things more expensive for Michiganders. They shouldn’t have to face additional costs just to enjoy one of our state’s most beautiful places.”
The legislation was sponsored by state Sen. John Damoose, R-Harbor Springs. It passed the House May 21 on a 91-16 vote.
"Mackinac Island is a treasure for our entire state, and this legislation is critical to helping ensure our residents and visitors maintain affordable transportation to the island,” Damoose said. “In the Straits of Mackinac, the ferries are the roads. More than 80% of the island is state land, and the economies of northern Michigan and the eastern Upper Peninsula depend upon traffic to the island so we had no choice but to take action on behalf of all citizens when affordable access has been threatened by a single corporate entity.”
Senate Bill 304 authorizes an amendment to Local Act 437 of 1899 to grant the city of Mackinac Island the authority to regulate all aspects of ferry service to and from the island, including extraneous fees. Because the city of Mackinac Island is a special charter city, this change will require majority approval from Mackinac Island voters before taking effect. Mackinac Island supports nearly 5,000 jobs and welcomes an estimated 1.2 million visitors each year.
The bill comes after testimony from residents and visitors that the total cost of passage to Mackinac Island has increased from $34 to $51 after the companies raised ancillary fees for parking, extra baggage, and bike transport. While two separate ferry companies exist, they were brought under a mutual parent company in 2024.
The new law would give the city power to vote on being able monitor these prices and make ferry services more affordable. The law specifies that this power would not infringe on authorities that other cities, villages, or townships may hold over ferry services and associated costs.
Mackinac Island Mayor Margaret Doud thanked lawmakers and the governor for their work on the legislation and expressed confidence that voters in her community would approve the change in city charter.
Letter to the Editor: Pride Month
To The Editor:
I was disappointed by a photograph posted to Facebook from our local bakery proclaiming that June was “America Month,” celebrating “Veterans, Church Pastors, Policemen, Firemen, Truckers, Road Workers, Farmers, etc!”
The author of the problematic Facebook post went on to “like” any comment in support and either did not respond or replied with an American flag emoji to anyone who asked for clarification of the author’s intent.
By all means, we should celebrate America. But for this post to be the first post from the bakery dedicating a month to anyone or anything (there was no mention of Black History Month in February nor Women’s History Month in March) to come on the first day of Pride is particularly disheartening.
June is Pride Month – a celebration of LGBTQ+ culture and community that began as a commemoration of the Stonewall uprising of 1969. Today, communities throughout West Michigan and the world gather to celebrate the progress made in LGBTQ+ inclusion and recognize the ongoing battles – Muskegon, Grand Haven, Holland, and Hudsonville all host colorful, fun events to raise awareness.
Visibility and acceptance are important to our community health: According to the Trevor Project, 60% of LGBTQ+ youth report symptoms of anxiety and 40% struggle with depression, more than 2.5 times the cis heterosexual rate. When these youth live in accepting communities, they attempt suicide at less than half the rate. That’s my hope for the LGBTQ+ community here in Zeeland – a place where people are truly safe, loved, and valued.
We claim that freedom is one of America’s defining values. Shouldn’t that apply to everyone? It doesn’t take much to be a good human – maybe just the realization that not all people share the same taste in donuts.
Avril Wiers
Zeeland
I was disappointed by a photograph posted to Facebook from our local bakery proclaiming that June was “America Month,” celebrating “Veterans, Church Pastors, Policemen, Firemen, Truckers, Road Workers, Farmers, etc!”
The author of the problematic Facebook post went on to “like” any comment in support and either did not respond or replied with an American flag emoji to anyone who asked for clarification of the author’s intent.
By all means, we should celebrate America. But for this post to be the first post from the bakery dedicating a month to anyone or anything (there was no mention of Black History Month in February nor Women’s History Month in March) to come on the first day of Pride is particularly disheartening.
June is Pride Month – a celebration of LGBTQ+ culture and community that began as a commemoration of the Stonewall uprising of 1969. Today, communities throughout West Michigan and the world gather to celebrate the progress made in LGBTQ+ inclusion and recognize the ongoing battles – Muskegon, Grand Haven, Holland, and Hudsonville all host colorful, fun events to raise awareness.
Visibility and acceptance are important to our community health: According to the Trevor Project, 60% of LGBTQ+ youth report symptoms of anxiety and 40% struggle with depression, more than 2.5 times the cis heterosexual rate. When these youth live in accepting communities, they attempt suicide at less than half the rate. That’s my hope for the LGBTQ+ community here in Zeeland – a place where people are truly safe, loved, and valued.
We claim that freedom is one of America’s defining values. Shouldn’t that apply to everyone? It doesn’t take much to be a good human – maybe just the realization that not all people share the same taste in donuts.
Avril Wiers
Zeeland
