TUSCUMBIA — Another 15 storm shelters have been approved for unincorporated areas of Colbert County, bringing the total number of shelters approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to 21.

Emergency Management Agency Director Mike Melton said the county has also received approval from FEMA for an additional 16 severe weather warning sirens that will be placed in various parts of the county.

Melton is awaiting approval on five more sirens and one shelter.

In August, Colbert County commissioners approved $516,959 in matching funds, which will likely be provided in the form of cash and in-kind work, to construct 22 shelters.

Melton said it will cost the county $2,067,836 to construct the shelters, which will vary in size from a 50-person capacity to 95.

The shelters will be constructed of prefabricated concrete and equipped with doors that can be opened by a radio frequency sent out by the EMA, Melton said.