MOORE, Okla. (AP) — The mayor of the Oklahoma City suburb battered by a monstrous tornado says he is pushing to require safe-room shelters in all new homes.
Glen Lewis said Wednesday he will propose an ordinance in the next couple of days at the Moore City Council that would modify building codes to require the construction of reinforced shelters in every new home in the town of 56,000.
The suburb was also hit by a massive tornado in 1999 that followed nearly the same path as the storm Monday that killed at least 24 people.
Lewis says he is confident he'll get the four votes needed on the six-member council. The measure could be in force within months.
Underground safe rooms are typically built below garages and can cost around $4,000.