Safe rooms, shelters, and storm cellars

Reba

Reba

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Thinking about those terrible tornadoes and the devastation and death that they left behind. I don't think my house could withstand a tornado, and we don't have a basement. We've been researching safe rooms and in-ground shelters. They are expensive, and they take up space but they could be life savers. (Of course, they're only good if you're at home when the storm hits, too.)

Do any of you have experiences with tornadoes, using a shelter, or installing one?

These are some of the shelters available:

sizes and prices

Lifesaver Storm Shelters, Benton Illinois

Storm Shelters Tornado Shelters Safe Rooms

Bluehost.com

Storm Shelters, Tornado Shelters, Hurricane Shelters & Safe Rooms
 
what about designated shelter?
 
I would think that with all the mountains in North and South Carolina that there would not be many instances of a tornadoes in your area. Nevertheless, do some research to find out just how much you are at risk.
Going overboard with a large shelter (such as underground) might not be necessary.
 
rolling7 said:
I would think that with all the mountains in North and South Carolina that there would not be many instances of a tornadoes in your area. Nevertheless, do some research to find out just how much you are at risk.
Going overboard with a large shelter (such as underground) might not be necessary.
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We don't live in the mountains. We live near the coast. The land is very flat, and just a little above sea level. We have hurricanes and tornadoes, not often, but we do have them. Our last tornado warning was last week.

We live in a two-story frame house on a concrete slab. The only interior room we have without windows is the laundry room below the stairs.

I wasn't thinking of a large shelter. More like one that could hold four or five people, so we could include our elderly neighbors and their cat with us.
 
Jiro said:
really? isn't it usually public school?
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If there's a tornado coming, there's no time to go to any other location. The closest school is at least a 15-minute drive if conditions are perfect. Besides, they don't have basements or designated shelters either. The kids just huddle in the hallways if a tornado comes.
 
Perhaps the neighbors in the area would agrre to share the cost of a large one for everyone to head to for during a warning or real tornado. I could see myself doing that in Houston if necessary but my home is not in an endangered area.
 
I think the most practical course of action is to pick a house on your street that is structurally-sound for tornado (garage, shed, etc) and then pool in fund together to strengthen it.
 
rolling7 said:
Perhaps the neighbors in the area would agrre to share the cost of a large one for everyone to head to for during a warning or real tornado. I could see myself doing that in Houston if necessary but my home is not in an endangered area.
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The problems are:

1. No space available that would fit a shelter big enough for everyone.

2. There wouldn't be enough time for everyone to get to a community shelter.
 
Jiro said:
I think the most practical course of action is to pick a house on your street that is structurally-sound for tornado (garage, shed, etc) and then pool in fund together to strengthen it.
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All the houses are built pretty much the same. The only differences are some are one-story, and some have brick veneer. None of the houses would withstand a tornado.

I really think it's up to us to make our own arrangements.
 
Reba said:
All the houses are built pretty much the same. The only differences are some are one-story, and some have brick veneer. None of the houses would withstand a tornado.

I really think it's up to us to make our own arrangements.
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yike hmmm.... based on what you stated above... pardon my french - you're shit outta luck. you're at enormously strategic disadvantage however.... tornado hitting your town and wiping it off the map is so unlikely so.... :dunno:

but if tornado did hit... I doubt your tornado shelter will do you good because since your entire town will get squashed by tornado... your tornado shelter won't be able to withstand all these debris so your best shot is to evacuate somewhere.

Alabama
92981-an-aerial-view-of-tornado-damage.jpg
 
get a big cement pipe and close off the ends. can get it dropped in your back yard. the price on the ready made one is cheap enough though
 
Maybe it should be totally underground. Remember those?
 
Jiro said:
yike hmmm.... based on what you stated above... pardon my french - you're shit outta luck. you're at enormously strategic disadvantage however.... tornado hitting your town and wiping it off the map is so unlikely so.... :dunno:

but if tornado did hit... I doubt your tornado shelter will do you good because since your entire town will get squashed by tornado... your tornado shelter won't be able to withstand all these debris so your best shot is to evacuate somewhere.
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Evacuations are possible before hurricanes but not before tornadoes. When the warnings come, you have only a few minutes to take shelter.

According to the manufacturers' websites, their structures can withstand tornadoes. That's why I asked if anyone had experience with these structures, and how they faired.

Not every tornado wipes out the entire towns. We've had tornadoes here that destroyed individual houses.
 
deafbirk said:
get a big cement pipe and close off the ends. can get it dropped in your back yard. the price on the ready made one is cheap enough though
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Have you done that?

Don't you have to leave one end open or with a door in order to get in?
 
Reba said:
Have you done that?

Don't you have to leave one end open or with a door in order to get in?
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I'm sure you'd have to install an escape hatch at one end.

but that cement pipe idea.... very interesting. it's clever and cheap. gonna keep that in mind for future reference.

:giggle:
Fred-Midget-in-a-concrete-pipe.JPG
 
Tousi said:
Maybe it should be totally underground. Remember those?
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Yep. The 1950-60's bomb shelters.

I guess that would take a lot of shoveling and cleaning out tree roots in the backyard.

The basic units I looked at online are over $3,000. Whew!
 
Reba said:
Evacuations are possible before hurricanes but not before tornadoes. When the warnings come, you have only a few minutes to take shelter.

According to the manufacturers' websites, their structures can withstand tornadoes. That's why I asked if anyone had experience with these structures, and how they faired.

Not every tornado wipes out the entire towns. We've had tornadoes here that destroyed individual houses.
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what I meant is that you have a limited fund, limited space, no basement, etc. and that puts you at strategical disadvantage.
 
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