Tornado/Weather Shelters

[curlybig]

Looking for information regarding underground garage shelters in The Villages. Has anyone done this? Recommend a company/Not recommend a company? Thanks.

[swrinfla]

I don't think anyone here would even consider the necessity of such a thing.

We don't have tornadoes (except the very, very unusual one in Feb 2007.

Basements are virtually unheard of.

Welcome, though, to TOTV. You'll find all sorts of neat answers to your questions, here!

SWR
:beer3:

[pooh]

Shelters I know of here are for above ground. Here's some info on them. One person I know of has a tornado shelter in the garage. I guess one can be installed below ground, the soil is sandy enough.

I really don't know anything about this particular company, it came up when I Googled tornado shelters in Florida.

Tornado Shelters of Florida LLC | The Villages, FL 32162 (http://www.tornadoshelters.biz/)

[buggyone]

Go to the town of Crystal River - about an hour drive from The Villages. There is a company there selling hurricane and tornado shelters. It is right on the main road and you cannot miss it. I do not think you bury them but put them in half of your garage. It basically is a septic tank with doors and air ports. Probably safe enough but I am going to take my chances in an interior windowless part of my house.

[Mikeod]

Don't forget that the 2007 tornado produced no deaths and minimal injuries in TV despite the significant property damage and the 3 AM strike. And I think it was an EF3. I am comfortable using the interior room in my home.

[jimbo2012]

I've seen them installed underground with steps leading into them, they are steel or concrete block built.

But without a warning system useless, or if you're not at home next to it, you have I think only a 6 minutes warning.

[BarryRX]

Here is a video of the villages tornado.

Tornado in The Villages - YouTube

[redwitch]

I do know a few people have converted their master bedroom closet into a safe room/closet. Not sure what company did it but they feel safer knowing it is there in the event of a tornado.

[buzzy]

Thanks for that video link, Barry.

[curlybig]

Thanks for the info. We are leaning that way, have found a company that installs above ground shelters (2-8 person) and offers services in FL. Saw on Yahoo about all the people who never thought it would happen to them (last years devestating tornados in the south) and are now buying shelters. I don't think I need to go overboard but I'd rather be the pig with the brick house if you get my drift.

[Bogie Shooter]

AR ought to have a field day with above ground tornado shelters.
I vote no.

[buggyone]

Could you even get the permit - not to mention the Architectural Review permission - for an underground shelter in The Villages? I kind of doubt it.

I have heard of underground propane tanks here but something to house people is an entirely different thing.

[sgiamp1]

Looking for information regarding underground garage shelters in The Villages. Has anyone done this? Recommend a company/Not recommend a company? Thanks.

We had a shelter put in our home in Ocala and felt it was worth the peace of mind as we lived through a tornado many years ago. The shelter was under my garage floor, approximately 7' long, 4' wide and 5' deep. It had a sliding top and stairs for access. Made of powder-coated steel and integrated into the floor with rebar, I felt it was a quality product.

I believe the unit itself was made it either Oklahoma or Nebraska but the person I worked with was actually here in TV. Her name is Pat Tripp and I believe you can contact her at: pattripp@tornadoshelters.biz. If not, let me know as I'm sure I can find a phone number for her. Let me know if you have any questions.

[jimbo2012]

yes, I found the site Tornado Shelters of Florida LLC | The Villages, FL 32162 (http://www.tornadoshelters.biz/)

http://www.tornadoshelters.biz/sl2-patchfreeinstall.jpg

http://www.tornadoshelters.biz/sz2-topviewraised.jpg

I would like know the cost of these,

also you can build your own or have built this for under $600 in materials

see this (http://hostedmedia.reimanpub.com/TFH/Attachments/FH00MAY_STORMS_01.pdf)


and from FEMA see (http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/saferoom/shplans/)

[KathieI]

Hell noooooooooooo... reminds me of a coffin... I'll take my chances. My inside closet is fine for me and the schnauzers.

Are we talking overkill here?

[EdV]

Don't forget that the 2007 tornado produced no deaths and minimal injuries in TV despite the significant property damage and the 3 AM strike. And I think it was an EF3. I am comfortable using the interior room in my home.

Although there were no fatalities in TV, this storm went on to cause 19 deaths after it left TV. Most if not all of the deaths were in mobile homes. So I think it�s safe to assume that there would have been fatalities here had the path of the storm taken it through the historic section of TV instead of passing to the south of it as it did.

Based on many stories told by villagers in the book �Ten Seconds Inside a Tornado�, those without weather alert radios had barely enough time to get from their bed to a closet to take shelter. So I don�t think having an underground shelter with a car parked over it is a good idea.

[birdawg]

My luck the car won't start

[jimbo2012]

Kathie, you only need to stay in it for a few minutes till it passes,

I think you hold your breath longer swimming.

The key is to be on alert for the weather and be prepared you only have 6-10 minutes warning.

I agree the floor of a garage is questionable location wise.

I like the built into a closet idea if I were going to do it.

[sgiamp1]

I didn't need to move my car if I had to get into my shelter. True, it's under your car but the stairs going into it are actually behind your car. (They start the hole about a foot from your garage door so that really isn't an issue.)

I certainly wouldn't try to talk anyone into investing in one but for those of us who have had close calls with a tornadoes they do provide piece of mind. I've been in my home numerous times when the weather radio went off and appreciated the opportunity to get into a safe environment if needed. Oh, it was a real plus when we sold our home and I believe made the eventual buyers choose our home over comparable homes without it.

[Harleyman]

I must be missing something Barry RX. Where do I find the link.

[sgiamp1]

You can contact Pat Tripp for information and an appointment to see the product: pattripp@tornadoshelters.biz (She lives here in The Villages)

[asianthree]

Toto made it without a shelter

[uujudy]

I have a shopping bag in the back of the closet with a battery radio, camp light, bottled water, blanket, etc... I used the closet one time, but I kept opening the door to see what was happening on TV.

When your weather radio tells you to go into the closet NOW, the television coverage is excellent. They can tell you which block of a street should take shelter. I should probably have a television in the closet. Or a periscope. :p

I can't imagine getting into a very small dark space in the floor of the garage. I can't imagine trying to get the cat to go with me. I'm hyperventilating now just thinking of that tiny, dark space. :22yikes: