Importance Of Tornado Shelters OKC

It is vital for you to have access to a nearby safe place to take shelter when a hurricane or tornado strikes. Ideally, it should be nearby and you should be able to get there in a matter of seconds, if required. Tornado shelters a designed to provide life-saving security during a vicious storm, particularly for individuals without basements.

Recent outbreaks of severe storms and tornadoes have significantly contributed to storm shelters OKC structures becoming more and more popular. In fact, in certain areas, they are backlogged for months.

Underground is the safest place to be while a tornado is raging. Though great protection is provided by basements, they are still susceptible to collapsing from debris coming from above. Tornado shelters or tornado cellars are completely underground and they offer the most reliable shelter from devastating storms. However, construction of these structures may not be possible in flood-prone or urbanized areas.

Storm shelters OKC or safe rooms are different from standard in-ground shelters. However, the same benefits are offered. According to FEMA or the Federal Emergency Management Agency, safe rooms are structures designed to provide near-absolute security from life-threatening storms. To qualify as a safe room, it must satisfy particular safety standards and must be constructed based on federal laws.

All safe rooms should be built to endure 250 miles-per-hour winds. They should also be able to withstand over 3000 pounds of force, which is more than the power of an EF-5 tornado. Typically, the structures are constructed in garages or basements. Normally, a safe room is constructed from fiberglass and steel to provide the maximum level of protection from the howling wind. In addition, all shelters use a concrete foundation as anchor.

There are essentially two types of safe rooms that can be used for storm protection — below ground and above ground. The same requirements must be met by both types of shelters and the same materials are used in their construction. However, there is a slight advantage that underground shelters have over their above ground counterparts. This is because debris from a hurricane or tornado can only impact the top the shelter, the sides are safe from impact.

It should also be noted that it is possible that the one and only exit in an underground storm shelter could be blocked. Where above-ground shelters are concerned, there is no real concerns of a blocked exit. However, the sides are vulnerable to the onslaught of flying debris.

There are clear advantages and disadvantages of both types of tornado shelters OKC structures. However, the main point is that they provide an equal level of protection. Ensure your shelter is equipped with recommended emergency supplies like NOAA weather alert radio. This will enable you to stay informed.

If you are thinking about building a shelter in your home, ensure you get advice from an established, professional company. It is also important that the advantages and disadvantages are carefully weighed. Additionally, you should check to ensure the company is compliant with all safety standards set by FEMA and NSSA.