Safe Rooms Vs. Basements: A Guide

According to news reports, Oklahoma is the state with the third-highest number of tornadoes every year. The Sooner State in the United States experiences around 68 tornadoes a year. These tornadoes result in injuries, financial loss, and even deaths. Therefore, the people of Oklahoma often take shelter in safe rooms or basements to protect themselves from winds with intense speeds of 200+ mph. But which one can offer better protection from tornadoes between safe rooms and basements?

This blog discusses the differences between safe rooms and basements to help you make the right choice.

Which is Suited for Tornadoes?

In the past, weather experts recommended taking shelter in the basement of a house during the tornado season, as being closer to the ground decreases the likelihood of a person being affected by the wind. However, due to climate change, tornadoes have become more destructive lately. An example is Oklahoma experiencing 12 tornadoes in February 2023, which broke the record for the highest number of tornadoes in February.

Therefore, basements are no longer suited to protect from tornadoes. They’re designed to be an extra room in the house and aren’t built to withstand strong winds. Therefore, it’s better to opt for safe rooms made from steel, offer better ventilation, and keep you and your family safe.

Basements or Safe Rooms — Which Are More Suited for Houses?

Even though basements and safe rooms can be customized, making changes in a basement requires extensive construction. On the other hand, you can get a safe room built from scratch, according to your needs, and get it installed in your house. Safe rooms can protect a large number of people, pets, and belongings. In the long run, safe rooms are more cost-effective and secure. Safe rooms have specially designed bolts and vents, which basements lack. On the other hand, the doors of basements are strong enough to withstand wind and can be blown away during extreme tornadoes.

Get a Safe Room in Oklahoma Today

Between safe rooms and basements, safe rooms are the ideal choice for people living in Oklahoma who have to deal with constant tornadoes, storms, and other severe weather conditions. At Oklahoma Shelters, we have reliable and long-lasting safe rooms in Oklahoma. Our safe room designs meet or exceed the standards set by FEMA and come with a 10-year warranty. Additionally, these Oklahoma Safe Rooms can be customized at any height. They’re wheelchair accessible and come with a steel door, vents, and locking bolts. This means that between safe rooms and basements, our safe rooms are the safer and more reliable option.

Get in touch with us, place an order for a custom-built safe rooms oklahoma, and receive it in 10 days.

Why Choose Tornadoe Shelters Over Basement

When it comes to natural disasters, many homeowners consider either building a safe room or using their basement as a shelter.

How To Stay Safe During A Tornado

Tornadoes in Oklahoma have always been deadly forces of nature, killing two people in November of last year. Proper precautions must be taken during tornadoes to save lives. It’s important to know what to do and, equally important, what not to do when a tornado hits to ensure safety for yourself and for everyone you care about. Read on to find out how to do just that.

Plan In Advance

Avoid panicking at the last minute by preparing an action plan before a tornado hits. First things first, if you live in an area which experiences tornadoes frequently, you need to be aware of the weather signs that indicate a tornado’s formation. Tune into the official weather stations through television or radio. For tornadoes in Oklahoma, the residents may tune in to stations recommended by the National Weather Service.

Secondly, you must know where to seek shelter when you hear the first warning siren. You could be at home, work, market, driving, etc., when the local weather station sounds the alarm. Your plan for sheltering must be inclusive of all possibilities. Ensure the storm shelter is stocked with snacks, water, batteries for radio, portable chargers, first-aid kits, etc. Do drills with your family and co-workers once a year so that everyone is aware of the plan.

What To Do When The Tornado Hits

When a warning siren goes off, head over to your designated storm shelter immediately. This could be a room within your house or work building without access to the outdoors. Specialized storm shelters can also be built for use during tornadoes. There are no community shelters for tornadoes in Oklahoma, so we recommend getting one for your home. If that is not an option, take refuge under a doorway or a sturdy table. Cushion your body and head with blankets, inflatables, or pillows. Tune into the local weather station for updates on the weather.

What Not To Do When The Tornado Hits

Make sure you do not take shelter near a window. Mobile homes are unsafe places during a tornado. If you were driving when the warning siren went off, do not try to outrun the tornado. Instead, seek shelter options nearby. If you cannot find any, it is much better to seek refuge in a low-lying gully but be aware that these might get inundated.

In an ideal situation, you would have access to a FEMA-compliant storm shelter to withstand the intensity of tornadoes.

At Oklahoma Shelters, we install tornado shelters in Oklahoma that meet and exceed FEMA standards. Our concrete storm shelters OKC protect against flying debris, one of the most damaging elements of a tornado. Contact us for a free consultation and get near absolute protection against tornadoes in Oklahoma with our storm shelters. Hear from other residents about their experiences here.

6 Things You Need In Your Tornado Shelter

Tornadoes are a frequent occurrence in Oklahoma. By now, most of us have a plan set to seek shelter once a tornado hits. What about once we are in the shelter? What do we need then? In this blog post, we will provide a checklist of essentials to pack for your shelter once a tornado hits Oklahoma.

Radio and Mobile Phone

The first thing you want to make sure of is having multiple sources of information to keep you updated on the weather.  A mobile phone alone is not sufficient. It will lose charge and power outages are not uncommon during a storm. Use a hand-operative radio as an alternative source. Stay tuned into official weather stations of your area. Residents of Oklahoma in tornado shelters may find the All Hazard Weather Radio Program useful.

Light Source

Since power outages will happen during extreme weather, you need a personal torch or flashlight. Use it while moving within the shelter or simply reading or talking to someone else.

Battery and Portable Charger

A tornado may last a few hours. Your radio and electronic devices may or may not. Stock up on extra batteries for the radio and a portable charger for your phone.

First-Aid Supplies and Medicines

Make sure to keep your prescriptions and a first-aid kit with you in case of emergencies. People tend to panic when moving to the shelter, keeping basic bandages and knowing how to use them will come in handy. National Weather Service recommends maintaining an emergency supply kit.

Snacks and Water

This is an obvious one. Keeping things to munch on and water is especially important when you have young children or older citizens in the shelter with you. When you stock your safe room, take note of expiry dates of all edible items. Change them in case they expire before consumption. Do not stock poorly packaged items. Tornadoes shelters in Oklahoma, for example, may not be able to keep stock fresh in the summers, the season when most of the tornadoes hit there.

Extra Clothes & Bedding

You probably heard the siren and made your way toward the shelter without getting the time to change. You might want to stay warm and comfortable for the hours you are in the shelter. Keep some extra clothes in there along with duvets and pillows just in case.

National Weather Service also recommends other supplies you should pack depending on your needs. The most important thing to note is that a tornado does not last longer than a few hours and a FEMA compliant shelter minimizes its risks significantly. So if you have a sound and well-stocked safe room, you have little reason to panic.

Our tornado shelters comply with and exceed the standards set by FEMA. You can order storm shelters and safe rooms oklahoma now by simply giving us a call.

Underground Vs. Above-Ground Shelters

If you are getting a tornado shelter installed in Oklahoma for the first time, you’ll have to decide whether you want it to be above or underground. After all, the position of a shelter determines its accessibility and how safe it is.

Both types of shelters have their own benefits that you should consider. Read on to find out which is more suitable for you.

Benefits Of An Underground Shelter

In a tornado, flying debris is one of the deadliest things you may encounter. Sturdily-built underground shelters are great safeguards against flying debris. They are also a good option for you if you have limited space available on a plot since they do not have to be built to retrofit the floor plan of a house. This gives them the added advantage of accommodating more people in emergencies. You can even use these types of shelters as storage units during off-seasons for windstorms.

The FEMA manual provides guidelines for determining the minimum floor elevation for a safe room depending on several factors. A reliable contractor will have no problem building you an underground cement shelter keeping the guidelines in mind, should you opt for it.

Benefits Of An Above-Ground Shelter

Above-ground shelters are easily accessible for young children, older people or those with disabilities. They are also much easier to install than the underground ones.

If your house or business is located in a high-risk flooding zone, above-ground shelters are a better option to keep you and your belongings safe than underground cement shelters.

Which One Is Better For You

If you live in a place prone to strong windstorms and flying debris, an underground shelter may be ideal for you. On the other hand, if you live in a flood-prone area or want a shelter with easier access, an above-ground shelter is more reasonable.

One type of shelter is not better than the other. Rather, your geographic location and needs make the decision of what is best for you. The only thing we do endorse, however, is working with contractors that comply with standardized guidelines set by FEMA and ICC-50 for storm shelters.

We install inground Storm Safe Shelters OKC and safe rooms oklahoma that meet and exceed all expectations set out by FEMA and ICC-50 to guarantee near-absolute protection. We analyze the client’s needs when recommending and installing tornado shelters most suited to their needs as Oklahoma’s residents. Call us now to get a free consultation, or simply get a free quote here.

What Does A Safe Room Inspection Cover?

Safe rooms are installed with a promise to provide protection. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the safe room you’ve installed fulfills its purpose. After installing a safe room, an inspection is held to ensure that it is safe and ready to use.

At Oklahoma Shelters, we make sure that all the safe rooms we deliver and install comply with FEMA guidelines. All our safe rooms also go through a rigorous Texas Tech Impact Test to check the durability and structural integrity of our products.

A typical safe room inspection includes the following procedures.

Measurements

All the safe rooms are thoroughly inspected, keeping specific measurements for different components in mind. The doors have to be 36 inches thick for maximum security and protection. The steel floor of the safe room has to be secured with anchor bolts. Anchor bolts are heavy fasteners used to attach the safe rooms to the concrete. These bolts have to be 5 inches long and 3/4 inches wide every 12 inches.

Ventilation

Ventilation is a very important factor to consider when it comes to safe rooms. According to the International Mechanical Code (IMC), 15 cubic feet per person per minute is the minimum air exchange recommended. Engineers check all the ventilation systems installed in the safe room to make sure this requirement is met.

Space Allocation

We provide custom-built safe rooms, which means that we are aware of how many occupants will use the safe room. It is then designed accordingly, allocating space according to the FEMA guidelines for each person. For occupants in a wheelchair, 10 square feet per person is the designated space inside the safe room. This requirement increases to 30 square feet per person for a bed-ridden person. According to the client’s requirements, the inspection team will ensure that all these requirements are met.

Control Panel

The control panel is tested to make sure it’s functioning effectively. Our engineers and technicians make sure they test the system extensively and run it numerous times to check its efficiency. Once our team is satisfied with the system’s performance, it is approved.

Get in touch with us if you’d like to install a safe room in your house or office. We also provide Underground bunkers in OKC, concrete storm shelters Oklahoma, and underground bunkers.

What Natural Disasters Can Safe Rooms Protect You From?

Natural disasters can be catastrophic and cause irreparable destruction. However, there are certainly some measures you can take to protect yourself and your family from the wrath of nature.

Investing in safe rooms is one measure that allows you to reduce the harmful effects of a natural disaster. It is meant to provide a safe place during a natural disaster.

Here’s an overview of how safe rooms can provide protection from natural disasters.

Tornadoes

If built according to FEMA‘s guidelines, a safe room can provide near-absolute protection from natural disasters like tornadoes. Popular belief is that underground safe rooms provide more safety than safe rooms built above the ground, but this isn’t necessarily correct. A safe room can be safe above or under the ground, provided it has been built according to the guidelines specified by FEMA. According to State Impact Oklahoma, a safe room can withstand an EF5-type tornado regardless of the typo.

Hurricanes

Hurricanes are much bigger and stronger than tornadoes. Nevertheless, safe rooms can offer protection even through hurricanes. Your location and geographic factors determine the positioning of the safe room on your premises. For example, if you live in an area that floods often, an underground safe room may not be the best choice. Most people prefer a safe room inside the house over a concrete shelter built outside because it is safer and quicker to access.

Earthquakes

Earthquakes are one of the deadliest natural disasters. According to Redcross, the first thing to do in case of an earthquake is to ‘drop, cover and hold.’ The purpose of this action is to protect yourself from collapsing objects. In an indoor space, a safe room is the safest option to stay safe in case of an earthquake. It can be a secure space for you to go take cover and hold on until the earthquake subsides.

Safe rooms can be very useful in ensuring protection from natural disasters. If you’re looking for a safe rooms oklahoma, feel free to get in touch with us, and we will be pleased to serve you.

We also provide tornado shelters, Underground Cement Shelters OK, and underground bunkers.

The Advantages Of Installing Above-Ground Storm Shelters

Are you hoping to upgrade your underground cement shelter? It might be worthwhile to consider above-ground storm shelters instead of underground bunkers and safe rooms, but you should always consult a specialist before making the final decision.

Here’s why we recommend above-ground storm shelters to residents of Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Edmond, and other areas.

1. Faster Installation

Above-ground storm shelters are considerably quick to install when compared with underground storm shelters or bunkers. That’s because the preparation time for underground safe rooms is significantly longer, as the ground has to be dug up, and a foundation for the shelter needs to be laid.

2. Movable

Because they aren’t installed underground, moving an above-ground storm shelter from one area to another is also relatively easier. Since getting a storm shelter can be expensive, we recommend that you invest in an above-ground safe room if you want the option to move away from your current place of residence.

3. Easier To Locate

If you’ve been sitting in an underground storm shelter to ride out a hurricane or tornado, it might take a while for the authorities to find you. But an above-ground storm shelter can be seen for miles out, making it easier to locate, which is particularly useful when trying to get out of an unsafe situation.

4. Resist Flooding

Unlike underground shelters, above-ground safe rooms aren’t at risk of flooding in the same ways. This means that above-ground storm shelters do not require the same kind of flood-proofing, meaning that you might save some money with the above-ground shelter.

5. Wheelchair Accessibility

Finally, it’s significantly easier for people with disabilities to enter an above-ground storm shelters as opposed to an underground one. For people on wheelchairs and walkers, this is good news because now you don’t have to struggle going down a flight of stairs and instead can secure yourself inside the shelter a lot faster.

Need a professional’s opinion on what sort of storm shelter will suit you and your family the best? Schedule a consultation with our safe rooms oklahoma technicians, who’ll visit your property to examine the space and suggest possible solutions.

Our safe rooms come in steel and concrete, so give us a call if you have any questions about either.

How To Get A Free Quote For A Shelter

Given that storm shelter installations can be costly, getting any kind of discount can be a huge help. So, it’s completely understandable for you to be on the lookout for a service provider that not only has great products but can also give you a free quote for your shelter.

Here at Oklahoma Shelters, you’ll find an extensive variety of bunkers, shelters, and safe rooms to add to your homes or commercial properties at unmatched rates. Our shelters are built to protect families and communities from all sorts of disasters – natural or otherwise.

To get a free quote for shelter installation, here’s what you’ve got to do:

Decide On Shelter Type

The first thing you need to do is figure out which type of shelter you’d like installed. But don’t worry if you are struggling to pick one. To help you decide, we have an extensive collection of underground bunkers, underground garage shelters, safe rooms, and concrete storm shelters that you can choose from.

You can read about all of these directly on our website or inquire about them via email at sales@sm.dev-version.com.

Fill In Your Details

Next, you’ll need to go over to our website and locate the page where you can apply to get a free quote. For your ease, our website has a separate tab on free quotes, where we’ll need your name, contact details, and your preferred shelter or safe room type.

You can also leave additional notes on the form as well. Use this to list down any concerns you might have so that our experts can address them when they communicate with you.

Talk To Our Specialists

Finally, you should expect a call from one of our specialists, who will discuss your options and concerns, and then ask you if you’d like to schedule an on-site visit. This will help our team to give you a precise quote and will also allow you to address any other queries you might have had since your last conversation.

Call Us Today!

Not sure whether an Underground Cement Shelters OK would work for your property? Or is our variety in garage shelters OKC confusing you? We get it; it’s a big decision. So why make it alone? Get in touch with our specialists today by calling on 405-367-7901.

You’ll be met by an expert on the other line who’ll ask you a few questions about your home layout and proceed to ask you for your details to confirm a visit to your property. Once the visit is done, you’ll soon be provided with a free quote for a shelter or safe room, depending on what you end up choosing.

Tornadoes-How Hazardous Are They, Really?

Tornadoes are terrible, and each one that causes devastation seems just as bad as the last. With the Fujita Tornado Damage Scale, the level of destruction caused by each tornado that makes landfall can be determined. Those living in Tornado Alley spend more time investigating the actual storm causing damage to our houses than we contemplate the meaning of the various tornado warning levels.

In this blog, we’ll examine the various degrees to which tornadoes can cause damage in Oklahoma. We hope that this information will help locals prepare for the next tornado season.

The Severity of Tornado Damage

F0

This is the lowest level on the scale, with winds ranging from 40 to 72 mph and minor damage. Damage to structures is limited to the roofs and chimneys, and while some trees may have lost branches, they will still be primarily undamaged and able to withstand the storm.

F1

The 73–112 mph winds accompanying events of this scale are sufficient to cause noticeable but manageable destruction. This notch will damage more roofs and residences with shaky foundations.

F2

Wind speeds of this class of tornado range from 113 to 157 mph, and they can severely damage structures. House roofs can be entirely ripped out, and residences with unstable foundations can be completely destroyed. Moreover, trees can be snapped in half or uprooted.

F3

Damage at this level is rather severe since winds at this speed range from 158 to 206 mph. When a tornado of this strength hits, nearly every home will suffer considerable destruction. No matter how sturdy their foundation or construction, houses will have their roofs and walls blown completely off by the winds.

F4

The 207–260 mph winds at this level are what make a tornado of this intensity so destructive. There is complete damage to homes, uprooting of structures with weak foundations, and vehicular destruction as automobiles are hurled at great distances. The tornado’s impact may generate up to three thousand vertical feet of debris, and these winds have been known to strike down many times, increasing the initial destruction.

F5

Extreme tornadoes like this one can pack winds of between 261 and 318 mph. The storm’s winds can completely or partially blow away numerous houses. The winds are so powerful at this point that even the tallest skyscrapers and office buildings are utterly demolished and torn apart. The destruction brought on by these tornadoes is unparalleled.

Tornadoes are always a threat; no matter how extensive the destruction, your and your loved ones’ safety must be your top priority. Despite a storm’s severity, Oklahoma Shelters has worked diligently to establish a level of safety and security that can be counted on.

Contact our experts if you want the finest possible safety for your house, and we’ll design a storm shelter specifically for you. Our range includes concrete storm shelters OKC, in-ground Storm Shelter Expert OKC, safe rooms, garage shelters, and more.

Contact us immediately to ensure the safety of you and your loved ones.