Why Should You Build Your Own Storm Shelter?

In some parts of the US, tornadoes and hurricanes are more prone to severe storms. Tornadoes can wreak serious ravages in places like the Midwest and the Grand Plains with high winds, which destroy structures above ground and send waste to flight. Hurricanes may lead to ferocious winds and deadly flood waters in coastal environments, especially along the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic. To find out if a tornado shelter is a good investment for you and what kind of investment should you build or buy, first think about your location and the weather risks you face. A particular refuge style based on your unique hazards may be necessary. (It is always clever to have an emergency preparedness kit in case of disaster strikes, regardless of where you live.)

Go For Above or Underground Storm Shelter

Determine whether you want to install the shelter under or above the ground as a standing building based on your specific risk. Underground shelters can protect you against high winds and hazardous projectiles, but can be more susceptible to flooding. The shelters can be mounted in the ground near the primary building, or a "safe room," where you can flee until the danger is passed, can be installed in your basement.

Overground tornado shelters have a slightly more versatile effect because you may take your shelters with you if you move. Just like with the shelters below the ground, install shelters above ground close enough to allow fast and safe access. Registered contractors specializing in the construction of tornado shelters above ground can advise you on the best designs for your family. Make sure you construct references to any aboveground storm shelter, to standards set by or otherwise constructed under the appropriate security standards by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Go For Installation

Using the guidelines provided by FEMA for community and home security rooms, you can inform your design, if you decide to build your own storm shelter or cellar. Building your own shelter can be more economic, but you have to be aware of and comply with proper safety rules and regulations, so that your shelter protects you adequately during a storm. There are also prefabricated storm shelters, which are usually pre-certified as safe by the manufacturer. The cost of buying a pre-fabricated shelter may be higher up front than the cost of building a shelter, but some of the benefits include simple installation and the confidence in the proper design and construction of your shelter. If a severe storm is present, a proper shelter should help to keep you safe physically, but your property itself is not so fortunate. Call experts from EF5 Tornado Shelters in Edmond, OK if you experience property damage caused by a storm.