FEMA Media Library
January 31, 2025: Mississippi and North Dakota Suspension notice
Response to a long-term power outage will involve two major concurrent operational efforts: the restoration of power and lifesaving and life-sustaining efforts. Restoration of power will remain within the purview of the utility companies. If a need for federal engagement for energy restoration efforts arises, the Department of Energy (DOE), as the sector risk management agency (SRMA) as well as the lead federal agency for the energy sector, coordinates federal support of those efforts. The utility companies maintain operational control over restoration efforts.
This sixth edition of FEMA P-320 presents updated and refined criteria for residential safe rooms through reference to the newly updated fifth edition of FEMA P-361, Safe Rooms for Tornadoes and Hurricanes: Guidance for Community and Residential Safe Rooms (FEMA, 2024d). FEMA P-320 draws on these updated criteria to address how to design and construct a safe room for a one- or two-family dwelling that provides near-absolute protection from wind and wind-borne debris for occupants. It should be noted that the updates in this edition of FEMA P-320 focus guidance exclusively on residential safe rooms for one- and two-family dwellings. Prescriptive safe room designs that meet FEMA criteria for one- and two-family dwellings are also included as a part of this publication. The 2024 editions of this publication and FEMA P-361 supersede FEMA’s National Performance Criteria for Tornado Shelters (FEMA, 1999) as well as earlier versions of FEMA P-320.