Which should you choose above or Below ground
science Over Myths: What Actually Saves Lives in Tornadoes
During the urgency surrounding most tornadic events, it’s common for inaccurate comments to be made by meteorologists who should know better, such as, 'If you’re not underground, you won’t survive!' This statement is false. Data proves conclusively that safe rooms save lives, period. Anyone who claims differently does not understand the safe room design, testing, and verification process. A mountain of data documents the reliability of above ground storm shelters—especially when they are certified and verified as FEMA compliant safe rooms. It's crucial to debunk tornado safety myths and recognize the effectiveness of these above ground solutions.
SEPARATING FACT FROM FICTION
While there are pros and cons to both types of storm shelters, several misconceptions exist regarding the relative safety of above ground storm shelters and FEMA compliant safe rooms versus below-ground storm shelters. At WatchDog Storm Shelters, we address these tornado safety myths head-on, allowing homeowners to separate fact from fiction and refine their search for the type of shelter that makes the most sense for their situation and budget.
Choosing Between Above Ground and Below Ground Storm Shelters
A tornado will not suck a safe room off the slab. Nope, NOT EVEN CLOSE! In reality, it’s not suction that causes the vast majority of tornado damage; instead, it is the extreme wind speeds of surface air drawn to the vortex that deliver the energy responsible for most tornado damage to buildings, vehicles, and other non-secured structures. If tornado-force winds can get under an object, there is a high likelihood that the object could become airborne. The actual differential pressure drop (or vacuum, if you prefer) is only about 1 psi from normal.
However, with a properly engineered and anchored FEMA compliant safe room, the maximum wind force exerted on the outside of the safe room is only a fraction of the hold-down and shear resistance rating of the anchoring system used. This ensures that the safe room will remain securely anchored to your slab.
Some may claim, “I’ve seen roads ripped up!” Yes, but those are blacktop roads where extreme winds have eroded soil away from the edge. Blacktop is typically thinner and has significantly less strength than concrete, and it also lacks steel reinforcement. Claims of concrete slabs being tossed around actually refer to the raised concrete porches that were popular in the 1940s and 1950s.
The real threat then becomes the impact of airborne debris, which poses the greatest risk of injury or death if you’re not adequately shielded from it. This highlights the importance of investing in above ground storm shelters to ensure your safety during tornadoes and debunking tornado safety myths.
ABOVE-GROUND SHELTER MYTH 2
Below-Ground Shelters are Safer Than Above-Ground
There is no data demonstrating that underground shelters provide any significant safety advantage over above ground storm shelters that are manufactured to or exceeding FEMA standards. In fact, many underground shelters pose more potential unintended hazards than they have advantages. This illustration demonstrates just some of the hidden hazards found with a typical in-ground garage floor design.
Outdoor below-ground safe rooms force users to venture out into violent weather conditions—driving rain, high winds, hail, and, worst of all, flying debris—to reach the shelter. Then they have to open the door in high wind, negotiate the wet steps in pouring rain, and secure the door. REMEMBER: Most injuries and fatalities occur as a result of being hit by flying debris while trying to reach safety, which debunks many tornado safety myths!
SOME UNINTENDED HAZARDS OF BELOW-GROUND SAFE ROOMS
Underground storm shelters may seem like a good idea in theory, but when you consider the practical implications, they can pose significant risks. Take a look at this image captured after severe weather outbreaks, which often include heavy rains and flooding. Underground shelters can resurface from the ground, potentially causing damage to your property. During a tornado event, these shelters may also become unusable. Even more alarming is the risk of flooding while you are inside, leaving you trapped beneath debris, which could lead to drowning. Instead, it might be worth exploring above ground storm shelters or FEMA compliant safe rooms that can provide safer alternatives and debunk common tornado safety myths.
Consider The Following:
Less than half of the above ground storm shelters available today have been constructed to meet or exceed the FEMA 320 standard for FEMA compliant safe rooms, nor have they undergone impact testing at the Texas Tech Wind Science and Engineering Research Center in Lubbock, TX. Despite this, many manufacturers claim their products are certified, without facing any repercussions, as the industry is not regulated by law, which can lead to misconceptions about tornado safety myths.
Key factors when choosing a storm shelter
Going Outside IN A STORM IS Dangerous
Think about what you hear meteorologists say during a storm, "Don’t go outside!" For those who have backyard storm shelters, particularly above ground storm shelters, that’s exactly what you have to do to run from your home, through the yard, to get inside your shelter. Going outside is dangerous, and you may be exposed to flying debris while trying to take cover. High winds, hail, and lightning may cause some to delay the effort until the storm gets closer. The best shelter is one that is easily accessible and one that you will actually use.
Steps Are Not An Option For Many
As we get older, or for those who have had knee or hip surgery, it is almost impossible to attempt to go down narrow and steep stairs to take cover. As our population ages, ADA-compliant doors and handles to help our physically challenged population will become more common in FEMA compliant safe rooms.
Some People Have Been Trapped Below Ground
While it is only a small chance, if debris is covering the underground shelter’s door, it makes getting out difficult, if not impossible. Tree limbs, pieces of homes, and other things can land on shelter doors. In our above-ground storm shelters, we ensured the door swung inward. This way, debris, such as the roof of the home, would not keep you from opening the door. There have been malfunctions that have trapped people inside their below-ground shelter. KFOR reported on a woman in Edmond who was trapped in 2012. Also, a Deer Creek woman and her 7-year-old son were trapped for 3 days due to an underground shelter not being able to open. Both of these families and many others had negative experiences with their below-ground shelters, debunking some tornado safety myths.
Our Shelters at the National Wind Institute.
Above-ground storm shelters are subjected to the same rigorous test protocols as their underground counterparts. In fact, the number of test impacts on above-ground shelters exceeds those of underground models. This is largely because underground shelters typically have only their doors tested, while above-ground units, including FEMA compliant safe rooms, endure additional testing of the walls and corner joints. Understanding these distinctions can help dispel some tornado safety myths surrounding the effectiveness of different shelter types.
Guarding what matters the most!
Guarding what matters the most!
Guarding what matters the most!
Do your homework. You’ll agree that Steel Strong Storm Shelters, installed by WatchDog Storm Shelters, provide numerous advantages over any other above ground storm shelters or FEMA compliant safe rooms on the market, making the decision easy. Plus, they help debunk common tornado safety myths.
Contact us for special discount for all
Military and First Responders