New Storm Shelter Grant Applications Open This Morning

De Armanville, AL · June 18, 2026

Keep the umbrella by the door—those heavy clouds over the ridge mean business before lunch. It is a good day to stay tucked inside and tackle that paperwork for the new county safety program.

📰 The Lead

Calhoun County is officially opening the application window for the 2026 Residential Storm Shelter Grant Program this morning. For residents here in the valley, where the local terrain can occasionally make outdoor sirens difficult to hear during a heavy downpour, this is a significant opportunity to offset the cost of below-ground or safe-room installations.

The program provides a reimbursement of up to $3,500 for eligible homeowners who install a shelter meeting FEMA standards. Local officials are emphasizing that priority will be given to households in high-risk zones and those without existing nearby public shelters. Given the frequency of summer systems moving through the Choccolocco area, the county expects the initial funding to be claimed quickly. Having your property deed and a basic site plan ready for the digital portal is the best way to stay ahead of the queue.

🏙️ Local Pulse

  • Bridge Weight Limits Updated — New signage is being installed on Choccolocco Road to protect aging infrastructure from heavy agricultural machinery during the summer harvest.

  • Oxford: Library Tech Assistance — Drop-in help for smartphones and tablets starts at 10:00 AM today for anyone struggling with recent software updates.

  • Fire Department Training Exercise — Expect to see extra activity near the station tonight as volunteers practice high-angle rescue maneuvers and equipment checks.

⛈️ Today's Outlook

  • High 83°F · Low 73°F — Thunderstorms (91% chance of precipitation) Grab the sturdy umbrella; these storms are expected to linger through the afternoon commute.

📅 What's On Around Town

  • Oxford: Farmers Market — Oxford Lake, 7:00 AM–11:00 AM Fresh peaches and local honey are the stars of the morning stalls today.

  • Anniston: Third Thursday Art Walk — Noble Street, 5:00 PM–8:00 PM A short drive for live music, open galleries, and local food truck favorites.

  • Oxford: Teen Anime Club — Public Library, 6:00 PM A gathering for local students to discuss series and share drawing tips.

  • Oxford: Trivia Night — The Southern Girl Coffee Co., 6:30 PM Test your knowledge of local history and pop culture for a chance at prizes.

📸 Spotlight & Story

  • The Choccolocco Creek Gauging Station
    • Tucked away near the creek bank, this unassuming station has been quietly measuring water levels since the early 20th century. It provides the critical data that local farmers and emergency EMA officials rely on to predict valley flooding during our heavy June rains.

De Armanville Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.

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