Tornado/Weather Shelters
 

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

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:

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

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.

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.

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.

Here is a video of the villages tornado.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32f1r_RWUm8&feature=related]Tornado in The Villages - YouTube[/ame]

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.

Thanks for that video link, Barry.

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.

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

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.

Tornado Shelters
 

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.

yes, I found the site Tornado Shelters of Florida LLC | The Villages, FL 32162

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


and from FEMA see