No Basement Bunker?
Tornadoes have been around since the dawn of time. Residential housing not so much. It’s no surprise that tornadoes regularly strike populated areas. Today there are many more people spread across the land that it’s inevitable these collisions of man and nature will happen more and more. So why do many homes in tornado alley not have a basement or basement bunker?
When you see this, head for cover – FAST!
News reports of devastation show slab foundations wiped clean. So why would you live in a high-density tornado zone and not have a basement shelter?
Risky Residences:
Urban sprawl has people living in areas where humans just don’t belong, like tornado ally and flood plains. Homes in these areas are usually built on a concrete slab with no basement. Other areas are too rocky to afford a cheap excavation of a basement. This can leave occupants open and vulnerable.
Better Zoning or Better Buildings:
So, the problem comes down to building codes and providing either a more suitable place to build or devising a structure that can withstand 300 mph winds. Stick frame structures are out, unless you spend an extra 20k+ to build an internal bomb shelter closet made of reinforced concrete and steel. Even then, there’s no guarantee. The safest place is underground.
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Midland - WR120, NOAA Emergency Weather Alert Radio - S.A.M.E. Localized Programming, Trilingual Display, 60+ Emergency Alerts, & Alarm Clock (WR120C - Clam Packaging)
$39.99NOAA WEATHER SCAN + ALERT - NOAA Weather Scan will automatically scan through 7 available weather (WX) band channels with flood, tornado, thunderstorm, civil danger warnings, and more. It also locks onto the strongest weather channel to alert you of ... read more
(as of April 19, 2024 05:03 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Midland - WR400 Weather Radio Deluxe - NOAA Emergency Alert Scanner – Home Use with Battery Backup - Local County Programming Over 80 Emergency Voice Flashing Alerts – Alarm Clock AM/FM Radio
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(as of April 19, 2024 05:08 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Emergency Crank Weather Radio, AM/FM/NOAA Hand Crank Portable Solar Radio with SOS Alarm, Battery Operated, LED Flashlight & Reading Lamping, 2000mAh Power Bank for Emergency Phone Charge Green
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(as of April 19, 2024 05:08 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Kaito KA500 5-way Powered Solar Power,Dynamo Crank, Wind Up Emergency AM/FM/SW/NOAA Weather Alert Radio with Flashlight,Reading Lamp and Cellphone Charger, Yellow
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(as of April 19, 2024 05:08 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
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(as of April 19, 2024 05:08 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Emergency Hand Crank Radio with LED Flashlight for Emergency, AM/FM NOAA Portable Weather Radio with 2000mAh Power Bank Phone Charger, USB Charged & Solar Power for Camping, Emergency
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(as of April 19, 2024 05:08 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
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(as of April 19, 2024 05:08 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Midland HH50 Pocket Weather Radio
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Tornado prone areas in the United States
Is there a solution?
It boils down to either moving or having a better building plan. Earth shelter homes are a great alternative. Excavation cost and permitting is a consideration. Earth berm construction affords better protection.
You DO have a basement bunker?
If you have a basement, that’s great! Now be ready to use it. Prepare it every season and perform drills to use it as a safe zone with your family. A tornado or emergency kit is recommended. It’s also a good idea to store some freshwater, non-perishable foods, and survival gear. This way you’ll be ready for any emergency….or any unexpected situation, like the current coronavirus pandemic.
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(as of April 19, 2024 05:08 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Ready America 70280 72 Hour Emergency Kit, 2-Person, 3-Day Backpack, Includes First Aid Kit, Survival Blanket, Portable Preparedness Go-Bag for Camping, Car, Earthquake, Travel, Hiking, and Hunting, Red
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(as of April 19, 2024 05:08 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
XUANLAN Emergency Survival Kit 13 in 1, Outdoor Survival Gear Tool with Survival Bracelet, Fire Starter, Whistle, Wood Cutter, Water Bottle Clip, Pen (Survival Kit 1)
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(as of April 19, 2024 05:08 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Rescue Guard Kangaroo Emergency Thermal Blankets (Pack of 10)
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(as of April 19, 2024 05:08 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Ready America 72 Hour Deluxe Emergency Kit, 4-Person 3-Day Backpack, First Aid Kit, Survival Blanket, Power Station, Emergency Food, Portable Disaster Preparedness Go-Bag for Earthquake, Fire, Flood
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(as of April 19, 2024 05:08 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
First Aid Only 299 Piece All-Purpose First Aid Emergency Kit (FAO-442)
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General Medi First Aid Kit -309 Pieces- Reflective Bag Design - Including Eyewash, Bandages, Moleskin Pad and Emergency Blanket for Travel, Home, Office, Car, Camping, Workplace
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UPDATE: We have found an interesting possible solution – Backcountry Containers builds extremely sturdy housing modules that can be used as underground bunkers or secure above-ground earth shelter homes. Combine different modules to build a steel-reinforced castle of your own! We found them at EAA 2013. They donated a housing unit to a family in need after the El Reno, Oklahoma twister on May 8, 2013.
This article was written after a 2013 tornado outbreak in the Midwest. Updated in 2020 for the coronavirus outbreak.