Secure Your Home with A Surface Storm Shelter
3 min read
Moore, OK, June 5, 2013--The outside of a storm shelther that is near Plaza Towers Elementary School. The area was impacted by an EF5 tornado on May 20, 2013. Jocelyn Augustino/FEMA
If you live somewhere where severe weather is not only possible but probable, you need to have a storm shelter on your property. Unfortunately, not every home is equipped with a basement and what is worse is that most single-story homes and trailers don’t have a shelter at all. When severe weather comes, residents of these properties have to merely hope that they get lucky and that the severe weather will bypass them. Today, we are going to introduce you to the concept of above ground storm shelters. Storm shelters being above ground may raise some eyebrows but bear with us because it could save your life.
The Value Of A New Storm Shelter
When severe weather strikes, do you know where to go? Obviously, you’ll want to head to your basement. Lacking a basement, a storm shelter installed above ground can be just as good. Storm shelters that are located above the ground have been gaining popularity in homes that are located along the infamous tornado alley that cuts through the heart of the United States. Still, many people don’t know what an above-ground storm shelter actually is. Let’s go ahead and paint a picture for you with a couple of words.
Typically, an above-ground storm shelter will be made of a heavy duty material, such as steel, and it will be big enough to fit an entire family in. Model sizes can vary based on your own specific needs, but what you should expect across the board is a storm shelter that is capable of protecting you and your loved ones from severe weather. The best kind of above ground storm shelter will have a durable door that is able to be locked multiple times. Additionally, these storm shelters will have benches to sit on and an air ventilation system to keep you breathing easy.
An above ground storm shelter will be rated to handle winds in excess of 250 MPH. What does this mean? Well, it means that an above-ground storm shelter will be able to resist a category EF5 tornado. Being able to withstand such a severe storm should put people’s minds at ease as they seek out ways to protect themselves from whatever tornado alley is prepared to throw at them.
Not only do these shelters give you a safe place to hide during severe weather, but they also give you the kind of peace of mind that is only available when a person knows that they are safe. These shelters can also be used for other safety aspects such as hiding from home intruders. An above ground storm shelter is a convenient, easy to implement way to feel safe no matter where you live.
If you are looking to purchase a shelter for your property, start doing your research now and reach out to professional companies with your questions. You never know when the next big storm will hit, but you should be ready to handle it.