But it's not the only reason the county is installing a severe weather safehouse in Delaware State Park.
"We had been working on this project for quite some time," said Sean Miller, the county's emergency management director. "It was already going to happen."
While there were no serious injuries, the August 2016 storm shook residents a day before the county's first Ironman triathlon event at the park. A bicycle corral holding thousands of expensive bikes at the park narrowly escaped the most dangerous winds.
County officials are most concerned about park visitors, including scores of campers who are vulnerable when outdoors. Two campers were hospitalized in July when straight-line winds hit the park during a storm. "If anything, (that incident) kind of reiterated the need for the project," said Miller.
The structure will be made of poured concrete and will be located near the park's campsites. It will cost almost $1 million when complete by November.
A $600,000 federal grant is being combined with $100,000 each from the Ohio Emergency Management Agency and Delaware County commissioners. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is expected to contribute another $120,000.
The foundation is currently being built. Later this month, concrete will be sprayed into an inflatable balloon-like form that is reinforced with a steel frame to create the domed structure, said Kirk Swinehart, project manager with 2K General contractors of Delaware.
"It kind of caught everybody's eyes," he said of the project bid description. "It's so different and interesting."
Roughly 80 feet in diameter and 25 feet tall, the 4,300-square-foot structure has a capacity of 856 people, said Miller. The structure will have restrooms, electricity and water supply, but no windows.
Asked about the expense and possibility that it may not be used, Miller said: "I can answer, without reservation, that, yes, it will be used."
The structure can be used by park staff for educational programs, or as a shelter during torrential rain.
Summit Ridge Estates, near Pataskala, has a similar structure. Built about 12 years ago, it can hold about 200 people, said Mike Diercks, a salesman for Rona Homes, which sells mobile homes there.
"It's either called the storm shelter or community room," he said, laughing. The building has been used for social events, including a wedding.
"It's not a driving feature to move in here. But I think people, once they're in the park, think it's nice to have, especially those who have already experienced a bad situation."
Much-larger domes double as auditoriums and gyms in the tornado belt, and quickly convert to shelters in bad weather, said Andrew South, vice president of South Industries, the Idaho Falls, Idaho-based manufacturer.
The 4-inch thick concrete can withstand sustained winds of 250 mph and a 15-pound piece of lumber strike at 100 mph, South said.
Other recent community safe rooms include a Montessori school in Lucas County and a Boy Scout camp in Preble County, said Jay Carey, spokesman for Ohio EMA.
dnarciso@dispatch.com
@DeanNarciso
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