do you REALLY need a storm basement in OKC? Really?

[J1ndo]

That whole "interior of the house" thing always cracked me up (though that's where I went for my one close call in Yukon). I mean I get the logic, and it's better than nothing, but really, when you see houses that have been hit by tornadoes, how often did you see the bathroom or closet magically standing intact?

[debzkidz]

Originally Posted by J1ndo

That whole "interior of the house" thing always cracked me up (though that's where I went for my one close call in Yukon). I mean I get the logic, and it's better than nothing, but really, when you see houses that have been hit by tornadoes, how often did you see the bathroom or closet magically standing intact?

I agree. Everytime I've been huddled with my family in the bathroom, I've always thought "what's gonna happen when the mirror or shower door crashes down on top of us."

[prerunner1982]

Originally Posted by J1ndo

That whole "interior of the house" thing always cracked me up (though that's where I went for my one close call in Yukon). I mean I get the logic, and it's better than nothing, but really, when you see houses that have been hit by tornadoes, how often did you see the bathroom or closet magically standing intact?

How many times have people survived by doing this?.... it work's and as you stated better than nothing.

I have lived here for 17 years and don't have a storm shelter.... though I would like to have one. I have had a couple of tornadoes close to me though. Many years ago had a funnel go right over might work (at the time) and touched down a few miles later.... just last year I had one touch down less than a block from my current place of employment and that same evening had one touch down within a few miles of home.

You can get by without a storm shelter, but I think it would be a wise investment.

[ou_norman]

As indicated above, there are many alternatives to basements that are probably safer. Storm shelters don't even have to be below ground any more, many people have extremely heavy, freestanding safe-like boxes in their garage that serve as storm shelters. In most cases, a central room with no windows or exterior walls, like a bathroom or closet with lots of blankets, pillows, and a helmet will be sufficient, but that's not enough if you get one of the very rare May 3 caliber tornadoes.

[ou_norman]

Originally Posted by J1ndo

That whole "interior of the house" thing always cracked me up (though that's where I went for my one close call in Yukon). I mean I get the logic, and it's better than nothing, but really, when you see houses that have been hit by tornadoes, how often did you see the bathroom or closet magically standing intact?

Actually, you see this quite often if you look at tornado damaged areas- interior walls remaining intact. Unless it's a tornado far above average strength, the small interior rooms can be pretty safe if you also have blankets, pillows, helmets, etc.

[debzkidz]

When my kids were small they would always put on their bike helmets in severe weather. It would crack me up. Really smart, but they looked so silly sitting in the bathtub with flashlights and biker helmets. But better silly than dead.

[windowphobe]

I've seen far more detached storm cellars (entrance in the back yard, usually) than storm cellars actually under a house.

[Goodpasture]

most storm cellars are add ons, they are not built into the house when it is originally built

[Coon dog]

Originally Posted by tijlover

Highly recommended, if you have a fear of flying.

That ain't no joke

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcYSFDJcPEM

You'd figure that a ' above ground ' shelter would go flying.......

No fun -Them storms

[Brian Hancock]

The reason there are not very many basements in the Oklahoma area comes down to the fact that the frost footing of your home only has to be 18" deep in the OKC metro area, whereas in the north the frost line is much deeper. For example in Kansas City the frostline is 48"... if you are already digging 4' deep you might as well go ahead and put a basement in. Also, in OKC basements have a certain stigma, most individuals knew someone who lived in an older area of town that had a basement built in the 40's and 50's that was dark, musty, wet... well just like most things in the past 50-60 years technology has improved the basement. They are dry, comfortable, and can pretty much be finished just like any floor of your house.

I read the above responses to this thread and laugh. Obviously you are much safer in a tornado below grade then in your bathtub with a mattress over you or in an interior closet. As with most tornados the real problem is not THAT the wind is blowing but WHAT the wind is blowing, that is why you get below grade, to protect yourself from flying debris. Read the NOAA tornado guildlines if you have tornado safety questions. [url=http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/#Safety]The Online Tornado FAQ (by Roger Edwards, SPC)[/url]

If you have any questions about basements and thier construction in Oklahoma please call an expert and do not rely on just any random person with a computer to answer your concerns about the safety of you and your family nor the construction of a residential basement in OK. Visit [URL="http://www.basementcontractorsOK.com"]www.basementcontractorsOK.com[/URL] for more information.