Underground tornado shelter

[BadgeBunny]

So all these tornado's have gotten me in the market for a tornado shelter. From what i've heard on tv the only way to survive and ef5 if to be underground. I dont have much spare space so a garage unit seems like a no brainer. Anyone had one retrofitted into the garage floor? I've seen several types of construction ranging from composite, steel, to concrete. Any suggestions or does anyone no a reputable installer?

Our next door neighbor had one put in last year. The company was in and out in a day. You would have never known they had been there if you hadn't seen their trucks. IIRC they told me it cost them around $4,000. It is a six-person (but that said there sure isn't much room down there) and the stairs were way too narrow and steep for me. They, however, are very happy with it.

I think you'd be better served paying extra and getting the "deluxe" model. But then I am old and rickety ... If I remember the company they used I'll edit.

 

[saddlebum]

here"s a link to an above ground safe room that survived a direct hit in moore in 2003. house was completely destroyed but the saferoom was fine. it's a vacant lot now but the safe room still stands. the home owner is a friend of mine he built a new house in new castle it has a oz saferoom too'
http://ozsaferooms.com/DIRECT HIT.htm

 

[Davs2601]

I had one put in 2 years ago by groundzero (i think) they did a good job and its wonderful having it to hide in.

Communication Federal Credit Union is doing 2.99 intrest loans for storm shelters right now for those that dont have the cash handy

 

[HMFIC]

here"s a link to an above ground safe room that survived a direct in moore in 2003. house was completely destroyed but the saferoom was fine. it's and lot now but the safe room still stands. the home owner is a friend of mine he built a new house in new castle it has a oz saferoom too'
http://ozsaferooms.com/DIRECT HIT.htm

Thanks for posting that. I was going to ask if anyone had evidence of an above ground shelter actually surviving a tornado.

I'd still like to see a report on the shelters in Joplin. Surely there were a bunch of shelters in the path of that one and the damage vs. saftey would be a good thing to see.

I would think that these companies would want to have very specific information available on the ones that survived becaues that is the proof in the pudding.

 

[SMS]

here"s a link to an above ground safe room that survived a direct in moore in 2003. house was completely destroyed but the saferoom was fine. it's and lot now but the safe room still stands. the home owner is a friend of mine he built a new house in new castle it has a oz saferoom too'
http://ozsaferooms.com/DIRECT HIT.htm

I would think that these companies would want to have very specific information available on the ones that survived becaues that is the proof in the pudding.

Ditto. The Oz link is interesting, but it looks like a horrible internet chain email.

The shelters in the before and after pictures don't match...and what's with the photoshopped "Oz" in the second picture. Something's not right.

Is that the best proof they have?

 

[KOPBET]

Plywood doors on the Oz ???

 

[Erick]

I just called Flatsafe to jump on their list. $3,000.00 check or cash for their large (8 man) galvanized model. The tentative schedule is late July. I was going to have one put in this Feb, but I didn't. At that time it was less than a week out.

 

[expertzx]

I just called Flatsafe to jump on their list. $3,000.00 check or cash for their large (8 man) galvanized model. The tentative schedule is late July. I was going to have one put in this Feb, but I didn't. At that time it was less than a week out.

That's a long waiting list. By that time tornado season will practically be over.

 

[reddog1]

That's a long waiting list. By that time tornado season will practically be over.

Umm.. Tornado season comes back every year Dude. Better late than ever... Go composite. The Galvanized models are only garanteed for 10 yrs.. the composite is 25+ years.

About the same price... the galvanized is a tad cheaper.

 

[saddlebum]

Ditto. The Oz link is interesting, but it looks like a horrible internet chain email.

The shelters in the before and after pictures don't match...and what's with the photoshopped "Oz" in the second picture. Something's not right.

Is that the best proof they have?

they are the same shelter, i guess they did that for advertising purpose's . it didn't say oz on it before the tornado. it's still sittin there on the vacant lot ,it's painted bright yellow now, you can go by and look at it