Are you well prepared for a tornado?

[RoyJackson]

I just purchased this exact same radio today!

Definitely read how to set the radio up for your area, as well as how to enable and disable the warnings that don't apply to your area.
I suggest you keep the manual in close proximity to the radio.
I use rechargeable batteries in mine...

 

[JDgreen227]

Oh, I forgot to mention a very important item I have tucked away in a corner of my basement shelter...a medium sized fireproof safe with backup copies of much of our personal information PLUS a 14.1 inch screen laptop that contains digital records and copies and the majority of our digital pictures are stored on it. There is a fireproof safe upstairs with other records and media but if a tornado hits I suspect that safe might be hard to find afterwards. Part of the digital pictures are of our house and contents, which we may need for insurance purposes after a disaster.

 

[patrick_g]

The only worry I have is getting cell phone reception through the concrete. Might have to run some conduit before they pour the concrete so I can run an antenna in the future.

There is typically lots of powerful lightning involved with tornadoes or storms likely to spawn a tornado. Running a conductor into your shelter is begging to get fried.

I have also designed and built above ground safe room for my moms house. What we didn't have was electricity and phones on purpose. I did design in ventilation so candles were OK but battery operated fluorescent lanterns are better. You could design in a strong well grounded metal box to hold a conventional phone and not use it until no storms near your location (if phone service avail post storm.) I'd probably wait till storm passed and then go out of the shelter and make call on cell to avoid risk of lightning getting inside the shelter via any conductors.

Pat

 

[Dishpointer]

There is typically lots of powerful lightning involved with tornadoes or storms likely to spawn a tornado. Running a conductor into your shelter is begging to get fried.

Pat

I'm not creating a lightning rod...Just an antenna outside the concrete room so I could get cell reception. It will still be in the basement. If it strikes inside the basement then it was just meant to be.:thumbsup: I will have to experiment with my phone once I get it built but will need the conduit ran when they pour the basement walls.
My only concern would be something blocking the vault door and I couldn't get out. I would like to be able to call someone on my cell to get me out. I have thought about some sort of ventilation that I could run a 12V fan to draw in fresh air.

 

[ArtMech]

Don't know whether it's correct to ask but I'll try
How are you guys going to behave with the ammunition in case of lightning? I mean if it hits a house, firefighters could not be able to approach and to do their job if lots of ammunition is inside a safe or doesn't matter wherever else.
Concerning me, I'm not keeping lots of rounds in a farm and keep them together with a gun(s) so that in case of fire I could bring them out of the house first.

 

[RoyJackson]

Don't know whether it's correct to ask but I'll try
How are you guys going to behave with the ammunition in case of lightning? I mean if it hits a house, firefighters could not be able to approach and to do their job if lots of ammunition is inside a safe or doesn't matter wherever else.
Concerning me, I'm not keeping lots of rounds in a farm and keep them together with a gun(s) so that in case of fire I could bring them out of the house first.

As you know, movies and TV never show reality...even when they claim to...and especially when it pertains to firearms and ammuntion.
Here's a bit of factual information:
Frequently Asked Questions

 

[ArtMech]

As you know, movies and TV never show reality...even when they claim to...and especially when it pertains to firearms and ammuntion.
Here's a bit of factual information:
Frequently Asked Questions

Thanks for info. Cha, cha ... how it's easy, I had to find out it myself.
But trainer had to tell us all that. And he didn't. All they said the metal safe (can) is to protect from robbery or from children.
And yes we've heard stories about kids who find ammunition from WWII time, put it into the fire and get injured or even killed. But never knew what kind of explosives they were burning.

 

[patrick_g]

My only concern would be something blocking the vault door and I couldn't get out. I would like to be able to call someone on my cell to get me out. I have thought about some sort of ventilation that I could run a 12V fan to draw in fresh air.

Historically the smart folks make the shelter door open inward so it can't be blocked shut by debris. You could still be blocked by debris but now you can access it with the prybars, shovels, saws, and sledges you keep in the safe room.

I know it interferes with your super sanitary vault door thing with easy out latch but... If the lightning doesn't get you the debris will contain you and even if the cell phone is in good shape the cell tower may not be. Bottom line you should go with proven methodology of inswing door and tools to help you get through any debris.

If you don't cover the obvious bases you are just whistling in the dark.

Pat

 

[vwnotrunning]

I have not seen many "safe rooms" that are built above ground that I would want to be in during an F5. We have seen many tornadoes on Oklahoma. When you consider objects the size and weight of automobile and larger being thrown around and slammed into the structure most I have seen may not stand up. External storm shelter below ground for us. Yes it is a pain to go outside to get in.

 

[MossRoad]

We also keep a windup radio and a windup flashlight in case batteries fail.