- Storm shelters come in many types and the type you will need depends on the storm situation you are subject to. It will also depend on personal preference. The first thing you need to know is the level of risk you are in for a certain type of storm, such as a hurricane or tornado. You can find maps and a graph that will tell you your risk at Tornado Project website. There are a number of things to consider before you build or purchase a storm shelter, and you can find a list of these important questions at the above reference resource also or by going to the FEMA website. The storm shelter has been credited with saving many lives over the years and with more and more people moving into hurricane and tornado prone areas they will no doubt save many more. Make sure if you have a safe room or shelter built that it is done by a professional that is aware of the FEMA standards for storm shelters. You can also download complete specs to build or have built by your contractor a safe room from the FEMA website.
- Some storm shelters are built underground and some above ground. There are safe rooms that can be built into your house at the time of construction or as an add-on and then there are some that are above ground that are completely independent of your home. Storm shelters can also be made from a variety of materials, such as concrete, steel, fiberglass and Kevlar. The shelters have doors that open in various ways so you won't be trapped in the case of fallen trees or locked out in the case of ground level freezing. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on your location and situation.
- Storm shelters are built to withstand winds at very high velocities. By entering in a shelter during a hurricane or tornado, you stand an excellent chance of not being injured, or worse, killed. Because tornadoes don't give any or very little warning, it isn't feasible to think you have time to get to a community shelter. Even if you have a basement, you can be injured by flying debris and collapsing roofs and walls. Storm shelters can also hold life-saving supplies like water, food and first aid kits, that you would not have time to gather together once the tornado hit. Winds during a hurricane can be just as damaging, not to mention a storm surge if you live in a surge prone area. The shelters can be set up to be a quiet and comfortable place to wait out the storm and stay out of harms way. You will be protected from flying debris, broken windows and even downed electrical wires. If you live in one of these high risk areas, there really is no reason not to have a storm shelter.
