Tornados! those beasts! question..

[milledj]

Yeah, solid brick construction would be pre-civil war (mainly). I haven't seen any home these days carrying block/brick up all the way except for on house on Hughes? (maybe Jeff or Slaughter) that was ICF construction -- for solid concrete, not brick). I had to laugh at homes in the million dollar range in the SW Huntsville area that had all the bells and whistles in them...but veneer brick construction and they didn't even TAPE the Tyvek. Look at the pretty, pretty homes! If they get dazzled by the pretty things, maybe they wouldn't notice that Habitat builds better (structurally, energy efficiency-wise) homes... for maybe 80 K... Of course, we don't put granite in the kitchen and have media rooms, either!

(Sorry, pet peeve).

The ICFs I mention would be similar to using full brick construction because the concrete goes all the way up and is reinforced.

[the_huntsville]

those "flatsafe" installations that are dropped below your garage look pretty darn enticing.....................

[HillScoggin]

you would spend 15g on one? Overkill.

We took a direct hit in 1974 from one of the largest measured tornadoes in history. Came literally right over us. Then again with a f3 a few years ago. The f3 was 1300 plus meters wide.

Our cost?

About thirty minutes with a backhoe and three hours laying cement blocks and pouring a three inch slab on top. It will seat about 15 people if push came to shove.

I could build same thing for about 500 dollars today.

[HB2HSV]

Originally Posted by HillScoggin

We took a direct hit in 1974 from one of the largest measured tornadoes in history. Came literally right over us. Then again with a f3 a few years ago. The f3 was 1300 plus meters wide.

.

Any damage to the house?

[milledj]

The only problem I have with the shelters that are outside the house is I know me... I wouldn't use it because I would not want to leave my house "just in case." Not saying anything bad about the shelter itself, but I would be much more likely to use something inside my house than go to a shelter and sit. We had a shelter in our backyard at our previous home. It was always wet inside and full of spiders (my husband saw black widows in it) and I never had the courage to actually go in it. We ultimately took it out. The house had a dirt-floor basement anyway. I would hope that all block shelters aren't like that, but it colors my perception. Plus, I feel pretty darn safe in my basement. I know it isn't as secure as the shelters built specifically for storms.... but... if I don't use it, it won't do much good, either.

[bluemorpho]

Agree with milledj. We looked at some houses that had outdoor shelters. Great idea, but you'd have to run several hundred yards and then wrestle with the lid. I think it would be too easy to rationalize "Maybe it's not that bad" rather than expose your family to the elements and deal with pounding rain, hail, lightning, etc. Plus what if it's dark? One outside shelter we inspected was occupied by wasps. I'd hate to find that out the first time I tried to use it!

Basement homes are scarce here, but we've looked at a few, some had basements AND concrete storm cellars downstairs. All were older homes (40s-70s). There seem to be more basement homes in the SE Huntsville area for those who are looking for basements. You can search on valley.mls for "BsmtRanch" in the advanced properties under "style."

[the_huntsville]

I think in the end,,,,


I'm going to install a "Flatsafe" in the garage of the home I buy/build....

those are incredible looking.

[the_huntsville]

No sirens yet so far this summer.................

[Southlander]

Summer is usually calm.
Tornado season is spring and fall.

[Bamachic80]

One of the only things I like about summer.....the overall absence of Tornadoes.