Shipping Containers and Tornadoes

[Believer]

If I place a shipping container, say a 20' one, what will happen to it if a tornado drops down on it? I'm guessing the weight vs area isn't enough for it to stay on the ground. Let me ask it this way: would you get inside one during a tornado?

 

[woodlandfarms]

Raw Video: Tornadoes pick up semi-trucks in Texas - The Norfolk Daily News : Onlineextras

It could be secured, but I would be worried the walls would collapse easier than wood but I don't know.

 

[jonyyuma]

If I place a shipping container, say a 20' one, what will happen to it if a tornado drops down on it? I'm guessing the weight vs area isn't enough for it to stay on the ground. Let me ask it this way: would you get inside one during a tornado?

Definitely need to bury it in the ground to the top...Look at the okla. video of the semi trailers being launched into the air..Cargo Containers aren't that heavy..

 

[smalltown]

Never "thank God" I've never been anywhere near a tornado, but after watching the trailer truck bodies being tossed in the air (quite high) on the news. I would not rely on a shipping container.

Wouldn't a cement vault in the basement or just outside the home underground be safer. You would think this would be a good business to startup in tornado prone areas.

 

[kf4uda]

I have a 40' container and was looking at it one day thinking the same thing. The first problem that came to mind was how to latch the doors from the outside. I figure that the container could hold up fairly good while being tossed about by the tornado but doubt that the occupants would. Therefore it could become a large casket. Now if you were to bury it and install a hatch and ladder I think it would be a great storm shelter.

 

[bcp]

Containers are strong but not heavy.

A video:
Bahamas Prime Minister views tornado damage at Freeport Container Port and surrounding areas on Vimeo


Another disaster photo showing containers, but looks more like a tsunami to me:

 

[jinman]

I have a 24x24 portable building that sits on four 4x6 skids. It's been converted to living quarters inside. I put trailer tie-downs into the ground in concrete, but never completely finished the tie-down job before my house was built. The portable building has been sitting on the skids for over 12 years in all kinds of wind and weather, but no direct tornado hit. I think a container would make an excellent shelter if it were partially buried just a foot or two and stapped over the top into posts or buried tie-downs.

What makes semi-trailers so vulnerable is the space beneath and only wheels at the rear. Once the air gets under that trailer, it rocks over on its side and becomes a sail. Keeping air from getting under the structure is one advantage and holding the structure so it doesn't roll is the also advantageous. Completely buried would be the best, but the logistics of burying the container would drive the cost above buying and installing a small fiberglass underground room designed as a shelter. BTW, a 40' container weighs about 10k lb when empty. A 20' container would be around 7k lb and that's not a lot of security. If I knew a tornado was coming, I'd take an interior bathroom/closet or basement over the container any day.

 

[Combustix]

If I place a shipping container, say a 20' one, what will happen to it if a tornado drops down on it? I'm guessing the weight vs area isn't enough for it to stay on the ground. Let me ask it this way: would you get inside one during a tornado?

Bury it five feet underground then I would get in it

 

[jonyyuma]

Ive seen a bunch of school buses buried, with the emergency door sticking out of the hills..I would think that is very light metal compared to shipper??The hatch and ladder might work?

 

[Cat_Driver]

With tornadoes the only safe place is under ground. Ask Dorothy's and, Toto.