— Norman has officially closed its public storm shelters. City council members took the action this week based on a recommendation from the fire chief that residents adopt a “shelter in place” philosophy.

The risks of getting to the schools formerly designated as shelters outweigh the benefits, James Fullingim said, and the shelters do not meet the Federal Emergency Management Agency's “tornado safe” standards.

“The schools are no safer than the average residential structure,” Fullingim said.

In the past, the city had designated public shelters at Whittier and Irving middle schools, Cleveland Elementary School and Little Axe High School, but none is certified as a safe shelter, the fire chief said.