So where do you get an estimate to get them installed with elec. till it goes out? cell phone service etc., to get you out, and the cost>? Think I need one, but the cost could prehibit it or at the cost of a life. Maybe not. And again, I look at lives saved and all the damage. Just thinking.
tornado shelters?
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Western
Super Member
look in the "Tornadoes" thread, some discussion on them, not much, but some
dmccarty
Super Star Member
I have seen a couple of different shelters for sale on the Web. Most where either fiberglass or concrete construction. The fiberglass units could be huge while the concrete ones were basically septic tanks converted into a shelter.
Power would almost certainly be out after a tornado so you would have to run on batteries. I don't think any of the models, except for one, that was installing power. One company was building huge shelters you could live in for quite some time and I suspect they had some power generation as an option. I would think a cell solution would have to have some sort of antennae to have a good chance of being able to receive and transmit. Again I did not see anyone with a solution but surely there must be one from the cell phone store.
As Dennis aka Western suggest look at the other thread. There are links that would show you the threat level for a tornado in your area.
Later,
Dan
Power would almost certainly be out after a tornado so you would have to run on batteries. I don't think any of the models, except for one, that was installing power. One company was building huge shelters you could live in for quite some time and I suspect they had some power generation as an option. I would think a cell solution would have to have some sort of antennae to have a good chance of being able to receive and transmit. Again I did not see anyone with a solution but surely there must be one from the cell phone store.
As Dennis aka Western suggest look at the other thread. There are links that would show you the threat level for a tornado in your area.
Later,
Dan
MossRoad
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One thing I heard the other day was to be sure to let all of your relatives in other states know that you have a storm shelter. That way, if they hear about bad weather in your area, and they cannot contact you after 24 hours, they can call your police and let them know that you may be trapped in your shelter. A safety net, so to speak. 
My dad build a bomb shelter in our basement in the late 50s. It was reinforced concrete with a counter weighted trap door. I always asked him what would happen if we were down there during a tornado and a tree fell on the door? How would we get out? He said our reletives would come looking for us. So, I had to ask.... what if they were dead? He said if they all were dead we wouldn't want to come out anyway. I had to ponder that one for a few years.
My dad build a bomb shelter in our basement in the late 50s. It was reinforced concrete with a counter weighted trap door. I always asked him what would happen if we were down there during a tornado and a tree fell on the door? How would we get out? He said our reletives would come looking for us. So, I had to ask.... what if they were dead? He said if they all were dead we wouldn't want to come out anyway. I had to ponder that one for a few years.
okclumberjack
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I'am wanting too build a shelter above ground , i don't want undergroung for a number of reasons #1 is i have a older brother that lives with me & he would have a difficult time getting down them steps, then there is my 100 pound doberman that i would have to throw down the hole & that would probally kill him, also don't like the idea of being below ground with broken water pipes & rain, would rather face a F5 head on then drown in a storm shelter(that might be over doing it but???) I'am thinking 6X8 feet, 6 inch concrete with alot of rebar & mesh, half inch steel door that opens in & faces NE, in oklahoma 99% of the storms come from SW I live 10 miles north of Moore born & bread OKIE that has never been in a storm shelter(never had one) but after the last 10 years in oklahoma tornados I think this above ground shelter is what Iam going to do.
texasjohn
Super Member
Texas Tech has studied the shelter problem for years and is the expert on the topic. Read carefully their recommendations here...
Texas Tech University :: WISE - Storm Shelters
Texas Tech University :: WISE - Storm Shelters
Pour some hefty concrete footings. Bolt a 10' or 20' steel shipping container to it. Mound dirt up around it. Lay a piece of plastic over the whole thing. Place more dirt over the top. Plant grass. Build a new sturdy door in the end which opens inward. Place chairs, cots, folding table, minimal food and a good water supply inside. Get a portable potty. Put some ventilation in and battery powered lights (trickle charge a couple 12v batteries until the storm hits). Under $5000. Probably less than $3000.
dirt ditch
Platinum Member
If I remember right mine was around 2K. Running electricity into one is easy, just drill a hole in the side and run in wire and conduit. Mine came with the hole halfway drilled. I don't know why you would need to have electricity. We take a portable 12v power pack to charge cell phones if we need to and use a battery powered closet light, flashlights and glow sticks. As small as they are it does not take a lot of light to be able to see. Nothing fancy about mine, it's just a shelter to get in to save your life when the wind blows. You would never live in it.
westcliffe01
Veteran Member
Burying a 20ft container is surely the cheapest way. Container = $1800. Fuel to dig the hole = <$100 Yes, you will need a way to get inside and you will need a base of gravel going to drain tile so that water has a place to go. If you can afford it, 1" of poly insulation on the outside to reduce condensation. If your home currently has a basement, you may be able to put in a connecting tunnel using concrete storm water drain pipe and break through the wall of your basement to provide access. It is better if you don't have to go outside to find shelter.
