LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. — Residents in southern and western Lowndes County now have new places to take cover when severe weather hits. Crews spent the past few days installing 10 tornado shelters at community centers in Artesia, Crawford and Plum Grove.

Each shelter is designed to hold about 20 people, though county leaders say more could fit in an emergency. Crawford received four shelters, while Artesia and Plum Grove each have three.

District Four Supervisor Jeff Smith said the project has been years in the making. He said, “I feel relieved. We’ve been pursuing this opportunity for five or six years with great energy and great aggressiveness. We’re taking a step forward in helping to provide security during storms and improving quality of life. That’s what this is all about.”

An Artesi

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