The Marion County Emergency Management agency is looking at plans for the installation of a storm shelter at its headquarters.

The building at 3014 East Main Street in Knoxville houses several agencies, and its conference room is occasionally used for public meetings. But in the event of a tornado or other severe weather, there are few places for the staff and the public to take cover.

The Marion County Board of Supervisors has authorized an ICAP grant application for $1,000; this would be used to pay off part of the installation of a shelter, which could cost in the neighborhood of $3,300.

Jeff Anderson from Marion County Emergency Management told the board the tornado which hit the Vermeer plant this year is just one of seven twisters which have hit the county in the past decade…so there’s enough of a risk to necessitate taking this precaution.

If the plan goes according to schedule, the shelter would be ready for use in the spring.