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Monday, April 26, 2010

Storm Shelters for Survival - Part One

Storm cellar on the Texas plains.Image via Wikipedia
Storm shelters are a vital necessity in many parts of the country. The threats from tornadoes and other severe storms are a very real danger to your survival. My area is no exception and having a good storm shelter is one of the areas where my preparations have been inadequate. This is a situation that needs to be addressed and has been moved to the top of the list of things that need to be done. You should also realize that creating and planning the most effective and efficient design possible for your storm shelter will be what makes your chances for survival a success.
LOCATION
After considering several different types of storm shelters, it seems that a shelter that takes advantage of your natural surroundings will probably be one of the safest means possible to weather a severe storm. Many creatures in our natural environment survive devastating storms by simply taking advantages of natural shelter that is available. Sometimes their shelter is little more than a hole in the ground and yet they manage to survive. The location for your storm shelter should blend in with the shape and contours of your surroundings which will make it less obtrusive to your daily life but also be there if and when it is needed. Building an effective and efficient storm shelter will require a great deal of planning in order to insure your survival. Your long term survival is largely dependent on your ability to survive the short term effects of a severe storm.
MATERIALS
While there are many types of commercially built storm shelters available, most can be cost prohibitive for many people. With some time, effort and a little research, you should be able to design and build an effective storm shelter that can fit into your budget. If you’ve got plenty of money or received a big tax refund this year, it may not be a problem for you and one of the commercially available shelters may be more appropriate for your needs. Certain classic storm shelter designs are based on steel or concrete construction or a combination of these two materials. Newer and more modern designs are being based on fiberglass structures that offer strength similar to steel and concrete but don’t have the long term disadvantages of rust or deterioration. The fiberglass option seems to be the type that will best suit my needs based on my own research into storm shelters. It also offers the option for moderately easy repairs through the use of readily available fiberglass repair kits. It will probably be in combination with some type of geo-mass such as mounds of soil, bags of dirt or rocks.
More considerations on my plans for building a storm shelter will be forthcoming in Part Two.
Got hole in the ground?
Staying above the water line!
Riverwalker

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