TOWN OF DUNN, Wis. -- A new tornado shelter opened Friday for residents at the Bayview Heights Mobile Home Park in the Town of Dunn.

A ribbon-cutting was held Friday for the 3,300-square foot storm shelter.

"We know that if we had a tornado here, or even straight-line winds, we would have deaths, there's no doubt about it. This manufactured home community really deserves a place to go," said Ed Minihan, chairman of the Town of Dunn.

The facility will protect about 575 people against winds of up to 250 mph.

National storm statistics over a period of time from 1995 to 20002 showed nearly half of all tornado fatalities were suffered by mobile home residents who stay put or try to flee too late.