The Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments (TARCOG), in partnership with North Central Alabama Council of Governments (NARCOG), and the County Emergency Management Agencies (EMAs) of Blount, Cherokee, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Jackson, Limestone, Madison, and Morgan Counties have developed the final phase of the Division F Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan.  The Division F Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan details the multitude of hazards that impact the Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) Division F area.  There are seven AEMA emergency management divisions in the State of Alabama.  AEMA Division F is located in the North-Central and Northeastern area of the State and includes Blount, Cherokee, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Jackson, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, and Morgan counties and over 100 jurisdictions within those counties including local municipalities, utility providers, school districts, institutions of higher education, and other participating stakeholders.

 The Division F regional hazard mitigation planning process was conducted in two phases. The first phase included a detailed update of hazard information for Cherokee, Cullman, DeKalb, and Etowah counties.  The second phase included the updates of Blount, Jackson, Limestone, Madison, and Morgan counties and will culminate in a comprehensive regional hazard mitigation plan for nine counties of the Division F region.  While Marshall County is also a part of AEMA’s Division F, it was not involved in this planning process.  Marshall County recently completed a county hazard mitigation plan update; therefore, it was determined that Marshall County did not need to be included in the regional plan until the plan’s next update in 2025.

TARCOG and our regional hazard mitigation planning committee partners are requesting public review and comment on the draft plan which will be available online through January 31st.  If you would like to provide comments please email Limestone County EMA at ema@limestonecounty-al.gov

Please click here to view the document.

Alabama Emergency Management Agency, in conjunction with the Alabama Department of Revenue, is tasked with administering the provisions of the Alabama Storm Shelter Tax Credit Act.

What is the Tax Credit?

• The tax credit will equal up to three thousand dollars ($3,000) or 50 percent of the total cost of the construction, acquisition, and installation of the qualified (FEMA P-320, March 2021) storm shelter at the primary residence, whichever is less.
• The total costs for qualification of the tax credit will exclude any costs reimbursed or expected to be reimbursed by any other reimbursements, grants, or other government subsidies or incentives.
• The tax credit may not decrease a taxpayer’s tax liability to less than zero.
• If the tax liability of the taxpayer is less than the tax credit issued, the taxpayer may only utilize the amount of the credit that reduces the taxpayer liability to zero.
• The statewide tax credit is limited to a collective amount for all taxpayers of two million dollars ($2,000,000) annually.

Who Qualifies?

• Eligible Alabama state taxpayers who incur costs for the construction, acquisition, or installation of a qualified storm shelter at their primary residence in the state of Alabama will be eligible for an income tax credit for the storm shelter.

What documentation do I need?

• Shelter/safe room specification sheet with engineer seal dated 2021 or later
• Proof of primary residence (County property tax record)
• Proof of shelter acquisition/installation cost (invoice with a zero balance)

How do I submit my documents?

Click here to submit documentation.

If you would like to verify your storm shelter meets the most recent FEMA requirements – FEMA P-320 (March 2021), FEMA P-361 (April 2021) and ICC 500 (2020) – before purchase of a shelter, you can send your complete set of engineered drawings to sheltertaxcredit@ema.alabama.gov

For more questions:

For more information on how to apply for the storm shelter tax credit, call 205-280-2200

For more information on how the tax credit will be applied to your taxes, click the link below.

NOTICE Frequently Asked Questions – Storm Shelter Credit (Act 2021-540)

To submit documentation:

Email: sheltertaxcredit@ema.alabama.gov

For additional information, visit: Alabama EMA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: December 9, 2021

The outdoor warning siren located at Copeland Rd. and East Limestone Rd. is out of service due to damage from vehicle accident.  Siren will be out of service until parts and repairs can be made. 

Please do not rely on outdoor warning sirens to sound during severe weather or tornado warnings you may not hear them indoors.  Stay weather aware by using a NOAA Weather Radio, local TV and Radio Stations or sign up through Smart911.com for all weather updates.  Please make sure these devices use a battery backup system.

The Tennessee Valley Authority is conducting a survey for individuals living within the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) of the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant. The purpose of this survey is to determine how individuals respond during emergency situations. This information will allow TVA and the counties within the Emergency Planning Zone, to update our plans and procedures. Information will also be available in the TVA Calendars that are sent out through the mail.

Visit this link if you need to verify what zone you currently live in. https://bit.ly/31BSPr7

If you need additional assistance, please call our office at 256.232.2631