It’s not news that severe weather season is upon the Gulf Coast states. We’ve already seen destruction, devastation and death and the season’s not over yet. Many people are seeking shelter from the storms – adding a storm shelter to their homes. Much of the research and testing on storm shelters is done right at Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas.
It’s not news that severe weather season is upon the Gulf Coast states. We’ve already seen destruction, devastation and death and the season’s not over yet. Many people are seeking shelter from the storms – adding a storm shelter to their homes. Much of the research and testing on storm shelters is done right at Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas.
One provider, Seth Stephens of Double S Service said, “All our shelters are engineered and they all meet or exceed FEMA’s standards, and then they’re tested, all of them are tested right here at Texas Tech.” And it’s been a busy season for Double S, too. They’re getting calls for both above- and below-ground shelter installations.
Mr. Stephens said, “Storm season’s when more people call, than when it’s not storm season. This year, we’ve had more people call this year before storm season has started.” That’s a good thing too, given how bad it’s already been this year.
Dr. Ernst Kiesling, executive director of the National Storm Shelter Association (NSSA) said, “We’re spending considerable time in the NSSA simply refining and improving designs, because it’s become a reasonably large commercial effort now.”
It’s an effort where quality is king, too. According to Dr. Kiesling, “The National Storm Shelter Association has a very comprehensive program focused on the quality, requiring that the shelter be designed by a professional engineer or architect, having the design looked at by an independent third party, to make sure it’s compliant with the standards, then having the product impact debris tested. Now that’s not to say that there are not high-quality shelters outside the NSSA, but that’s the only organization that I know of that has an extensive and comprehensive compliance verification process.”
Dr. Kiesling added, “Not only do they protect lives and provide safety from extreme winds, but it gives you the peace of mind that’s with you 24/7 and 365 days a year that there’s a safe place available if you need it, and that’s very important I think.”
He also emphasized that if you don’t have a shelter, you should at least have a plan for severe weather. “Have a plan, locate what you feel is the safest part of the building, generally an interior, small room.”
I would add that, even if you do have a shelter, a plan is still important. Does everyone know where to meet in the event of severe weather? Do they go right to the shelter or a central meeting space? Can everyone in the family access the shelter? Is the shelter stocked with the necessary supplies?
Storm shelters can be registered with your county or city, too.
Source:
Join the conversation!