Stay out of Rowlett

[Mike]

Yeah, I don't think putting them under the garage is smart either. If house gets hit, you could be trapped there for days.

The shelters have GPS units in them, and there is an optional 8 ton hydraulic jack, I haven't heard of anyone being trapped in one for very long.
This conversation is why I still haven't made my final decision. I know people that were hit in 2013 with backyard, garage, and indoor above ground shelters, all of them survived. At this point I'm looking at whatever is going to be most comfortable in the event that I have to actually get in it.

[bcoop]

If somebody does the in ground in the garage unit make sure the entrance isnt under the car

Yeah, I don't think putting them under the garage is smart either. If house gets hit, you could be trapped there for days.

[95DRGT]

If somebody does the in ground in the garage unit make sure the entrance isnt under the car

I don't see it how it could not be in 95% of the standard garages

[John -- '02 HAWK]

If somebody does the in ground in the garage unit make sure the entrance isnt under the car

[sosoe]

and extra storage space

and the day you need to get inside in a rush, you wont because of all the junk you have stored inside.

[juiceweezl]

I've spent dozens of hours in a tornado shelter, and I wouldn't feel safe in an above ground safe room, for what it's worth. They may be more practical, but I just don't see them being as safe as a concrete in ground shelter.


Mike was going to have a safe room or shelter built after the last round of tornados in Moore. I'm not sure what he went with though, but I'm interested to hear his input.

I've posted on here before about safe rooms, so I'm not going to give a long post again right now (I'm also on the road and don't want to post all the links). My company has been 85% through development with 2 types of shelters and moved away from the project. One was carried forward by the partner company (Dupont) and the other was just ours. They are meant to be a part of the house so that you never know they're there, something like a master closet or bathroom. I am not giving up garage space for a steel building, and I do not like the concept of being trapped in the ground with water/flooding being an issue. For those wanting to know some options, look at Stormblocker panels. I'll be back in town tomorrow and can post more if the masses want more info. I've been a part of development and also the testing (the 2x4 cannon is fun).

[mstng86]

I like the underground garage one- doubles as oil change pit

and extra storage space

[95DRGT]

I like the underground garage one- doubles as oil change pit

[Whiteboy]

I was lucky my side of Rowlett didnt get hit. But it was scary that night.

[Mike]

Underground seems most logical to me but I've seen plenty of pictures of flooded storm shelters that makes me think twice. I think some people have even died from flooding when they took refuge in an underground shelter - got debris on top of the shelter and couldn't get out.

Yep.. We will definitely have a hydraulic jack installed in ours. They typically hit while during business hours, so I need to make my wife can get it open if there is debris on it.

I've probably only spent about 20 minutes in a shelter since moving here in 2007, I hate in those damn things.

[jimithing]

Underground seems most logical to me but I've seen plenty of pictures of flooded storm shelters that makes me think twice. I think some people have even died from flooding when they took refuge in an underground shelter - got debris on top of the shelter and couldn't get out.

[Mike]

Yea, I'm thinking in ground is the way to go from both a cost and safety standpoint. You just need to make sure you get it registered with the local fire dept so they know to where to look for you if debris lands on top of your shelter.

I wonder if home owners insurance gives discounts for that kind of thing. My thinking is that I would put one in the back yard, right off the back door.

Make sure the company that installs the shelter anchors it well, there were a lot of shelters floating during the flooding earlier this year.

[Mike]

I'm over in East Richardson and this storm hit pretty close to home for me, especially after realizing that my house would crumble like tin foil if a tornado came through. Seeing as how a tornado could hit anywhere, I figured it's time to look into a safe room or storm shelter of some sort.

I'm interested in hearing what's more practical and easier to install, a steel/cement safe room, or some sort of in ground shelter.

I've spent dozens of hours in a tornado shelter, and I wouldn't feel safe in an above ground safe room, for what it's worth. They may be more practical, but I just don't see them being as safe as a concrete in ground shelter.


Mike was going to have a safe room or shelter built after the last round of tornados in Moore. I'm not sure what he went with though, but I'm interested to hear his input.

I have done a lot of research, but haven't pulled the trigger on one yet.
Two of my neighbors have "safe rooms" installed in their garages because they are older and climbing the narrow stairs would have been difficult in a rush. They are really well built, but I wouldn't want to give up that much garage space.
We will likely end up going with a below ground garage shelter when I can decide which size I want.

Safe room info
http://www.groundzeroshelters.com/saferooms.html

Underground garage unit info:
http://www.groundzeroshelters.com/flattop.html

The outside units are great also, I just prefer not getting lit up by rain and hail on my way to the shelter.

[dee]

Growing up we always had a in ground shelter of some sort and they sure feel safe. The one time it was actually needed we didn't make it to the shelter luckily though it was a small tornado and only got half the house. They do some strange things to say the least.

[Sgt Beavis]

I'm over in East Richardson and this storm hit pretty close to home for me, especially after realizing that my house would crumble like tin foil if a tornado came through. Seeing as how a tornado could hit anywhere, I figured it's time to look into a safe room or storm shelter of some sort.

I'm interested in hearing what's more practical and easier to install, a steel/cement safe room, or some sort of in ground shelter.

I've spent dozens of hours in a tornado shelter, and I wouldn't feel safe in an above ground safe room, for what it's worth. They may be more practical, but I just don't see them being as safe as a concrete in ground shelter.


Mike was going to have a safe room or shelter built after the last round of tornados in Moore. I'm not sure what he went with though, but I'm interested to hear his input.

Yea, I'm thinking in ground is the way to go from both a cost and safety standpoint. You just need to make sure you get it registered with the local fire dept so they know to where to look for you if debris lands on top of your shelter.

I wonder if home owners insurance gives discounts for that kind of thing. My thinking is that I would put one in the back yard, right off the back door.