Storm Shelter

[Matt In Oklahoma]

In light of recent and always unfortunate events I wanted to open a discussion about storm shelters. It amazes me that they are so few and far between in areas that have severe storms which is almost the whole United States. There are others uses where someone might need to get below ground as well.

I have begun stocking mine slowly as I live in a new place and I see a water line almost 2 ft above the floor. I'm pretty sure this happened when we had some flooding rains a few years ago. Since we have had our recent rains to include today we have had no seepage. I placed a short length of chain around the rail and secured it to the handle on the latch too. It is a bit of a failsafe as well as a way to secure myself in should I decide not to leave or need to sleep securely after an event. Someone laughed and said "what now you are gonna lock yourself in and fight it out?". The answer is no as a storm shelter can be easily smoked or gassed or burned out through the air vents. It also leaves no exit strategy and this Indian doesn't back himself into corners!

I have begun stocking with the basics. Now that I see it doesn't flood all the time it will grow rapidly. Everything must be placed in something to protect it from moisture and critters.

Water, Ramen Noodles, Windup Flashlight, Battery Lantern, Propane Lantern, Propane Cook Stove, Extra Propane, Pots n Pans, Hand Tools, Pillow, Blanket, Cot, Jacket, 2 Chairs, Bucket Toilet stocked with Trash Bags, Paper Towels, TP and Hand Sanitizer, Homemade Berky Style Water Filter, 550 cord, Duct Tape.

The list grows constantly and is a "living" preparation like anything else we do. It is designed to get me and mine thru a few days because to many times I watched people look for help that wasn't coming, help was too busy with saving those that are hurt, help was to slow in coming because the roads are impassible etc.

So where are you at and what is your plan? What are the holes in my game to make it for a few days?

[eeyore]

If it were me i might want to get some type of battery system in there, if nothing else to run a bilge pump (12 volt, used on boats) just in case it floods again. You could use it for lighting, exguast fan and radios and a bunch of other things also.

Good to have a plan, at least it gives you options.

The shelter is designed to protect from the storms not the neighbors.

[Lowdown3]

How are you going to handle sanitation issues? Air flow?

I "heard" ;) that 12 volt computer fans work nicely in this sort of application.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

If it were me i might want to get some type of battery system in there, if nothing else to run a bilge pump (12 volt, used on boats) just in case it floods again. You could use it for lighting, exguast fan and radios and a bunch of other things also.The shelter is designed to protect from the storms not the neighbors.

One thing I failed to discuss is OPSEC of the shelter. There should be none. Tell everyone where it is. I'm telling you as someone who has had to look for them afterwards. I even invite neighbors into mine and make sure they know where it is. I tell the family, friends and some towns even have a registry which will tell them where to look for you. If are hide in the house due to the lack of a shelter tell them where you would be, where the innermost room is without windows or the tub. the supplies I have in there are worth losing to opsec if they come and get me after a tornando IMO.
BTW I put in some first aid kits and paper plates and flatware. The wife and discussed a pump the other day, we still are looking and deciding on what to get. This has been good to talk out.

and yes I know them cheapie first aid kits ain't got much but they seem to get bought all the time by my mom and wife so they need to be somewhere! It can supplement the Military one.

How are you going to handle sanitation issues? Air flow?
I "heard" ;) that 12 volt computer fans work nicely in this sort of application.

Sanitation is the listed Bucket Toliet with paper towels, soap, hand sanitizer and trash bags all stored within the bucket. The waste in the trash bags will just be moved to a designated area after the destruction. The water for sanitation is the jugs, which will increase soon and the water filter to filter a nearby pond.


Air flow, well the storm usually takes care of that! LOL Naw seriously thats a good idea!

[Grand58742]

Looks like a decent setup you have there. What all is in your tool box? Didn't see matches or a lighter on your list, but I'm assuming you have one already?

Maybe some candles as well? Scented perhaps since you DO have the toilet there as well lol. A can of air freshener at the least.

Small battery operated radio? For storm alerts and whatnot.

If you are planning on staying a couple of days, maybe pick up one of those el cheapo sleeping mats for the cot.

And I'd look at expanding that first aid kit with some other items. Disinfectant, ACE type bandage, triple antibiotic, etc. The .mil kits aren't bad, but are made for immediate triage on the battlefield and don't tend to focus on day to day boo-boo items. Might be better to add in some items to supplement the ones you have already.

And SPAM! How did you forget the SPAM?!

ETA: Thanks for starting this post. As I'm heading out to OK very soon, it's nice to see this kind of thread to make the brain start working and get ideas on how to stock my own shelter when the time comes.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Looks like a decent setup you have there. What all is in your tool box?
Right now it's just basic handtools like hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, crescent wrench
Maybe some candles as well? Scented perhaps since you DO have the toilet there as well lol. A can of air freshener at the least.
LOL negative, let them suffer the wrath of Dad! LOL

If you are planning on staying a couple of days, maybe pick up one of those el cheapo sleeping mats for the cot. I'm looking for my extra old Army pad still stashed somewhere after the move now that you brought it up

And I'd look at expanding that first aid kit with some other items. Disinfectant, ACE type bandage, triple antibiotic, etc. The .mil kits aren't bad, but are made for immediate triage on the battlefield and don't tend to focus on day to day boo-boo items. Might be better to add in some items to supplement the ones you have already. The small kit covers boo-boos but I do need some triple antibiotic, i did throw in some alcohol pads and iodine too

And SPAM! How did you forget the SPAM?! mmm spam, guess it couldn't hurt but need an airtight container for it cause the humidity is merciless down there

ETA: Thanks for starting this post. As I'm heading out to OK very soon, it's nice to see this kind of thread to make the brain start working and get ideas on how to stock my own shelter when the time comes.

Holler at a fellow okie on the e-mail when you hit the ground brother and holler if you need anything

[Matt In Oklahoma]

I added one of those cheapie $1 lights

https://www.survivalandpreparednessforum.com/showthread.php?1591-Safety-Reflective-LED-Light&highlight=lights

because it got real dark when I shut that lid and the way this shelter is you still have to navigate a few stairs to hit the floor. I also bought a few dollar store chemlights to throw in there, put them in a ziplock baggie and just set them on the shelf in plain view. When I went to tie the light to the rail I thought I needed to keep that roll of twine in there too. Don't always wanna use my 550 cord for little stuff when I have a supply of this twine.
I can also use this stuff to signal with if the vent hole doesn't get blocked but the door does. Tape it to the cot bars and stick it up thru the hole.

[610Alpha]

Be careful using the propane in there, you need to have air to breathe (if you get enough debris around your door you won't get the air that you need), add an extra PVC air vent if you can.

Also might want to put in a jack (bottle or floor type) of some kind in case a twister comes through and puts a tree on top of your door, you will be trapped.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

I wouldnt use the propane till post event and the cleanup begins unless we are stuck in there then I am gonna try and work on a fan like LD3 said. The jacks a good idea with a piece of long steel to lift the door however I'm not sure how much weight those stairs will take. There is no way to get one one the floor the way this particular model is built. I guess I could figure out a way to block up under one of the steps. That would be a definte issue with a fiberglass shelter, the lack of strength. I think that I might be stuck till help comes if it's alot of weight. That again is why folks need to know where you are.

[Grand58742]

Now that I've had the chance to wake up (my post was at around 3:30 this morning and I'm seven hours ahead of ya'll)

Battery operated radio with weather band as well (I mentioned it before, but think I edited it in after your reply)

Might add a pruning saw or bow saw to your tool box in the long run

Gatorade powder or other sports drink mix for water. If you are working in the aftermath of a storm, you'll burn through electrolytes quick.

Baby wipes (nothing like a good baby wipe shower after a long day)

Jokingly added the Spam, but your foods could use a little variety. Man cannot live by Ramen alone lol Some long life canned soups or freeze dried meals would be appropriate

Twine always has a thousand uses. Good call. Maybe in the long run you could even look at heavy duty ropes, chains or tow straps for moving downed trees? Something to consider if the item ever came up cheap.

What about communications? In a storm, the last thing you would probably think about is grabbing your cell phone, but something to think about. Smaller charger perhaps?

There's always a hundred different little things along the way that will work for you as you continue to build up. I'd like to see this as a "living" thread as to what progress you make along the way.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Now that I've had the chance to wake up (my post was at around 3:30 this morning and I'm seven hours ahead of ya'll)

Battery operated radio with weather band as well (I mentioned it before, but think I edited it in after your reply)
Thought about that but i may have to get another one, i'm all out of "extras"

Might add a pruning saw or bow saw to your tool box in the long run
Good call

Gatorade powder or other sports drink mix for water. If you are working in the aftermath of a storm, you'll burn through electrolytes quick.
Very Good Call, I'm one for overworking and dehydrating!

Baby wipes (nothing like a good baby wipe shower after a long day)
Actually have 2 free samples from coupons coming that may find a home down there:)

Jokingly added the Spam, but your foods could use a little variety. Man cannot live by Ramen alone lol Some long life canned soups or freeze dried meals would be appropriate
Told the wife, got ignored, guess I need to get it done, I can live on anything for a long time but she and the girl aren't the troopers I am LOL I'm figuring on 3 days by then my son who is as crazy as his ole man shoulda packed stuff in to me at least thats my hope or someones gonna be missing a cat:)

Twine always has a thousand uses. Good call. Maybe in the long run you could even look at heavy duty ropes, chains or tow straps for moving downed trees? Something to consider if the item ever came up cheap.
What would i use to pull with if everything is gone? If my truck is still there my chains and straps will be too!

What about communications? In a storm, the last thing you would probably think about is grabbing your cell phone, but something to think about. Smaller charger perhaps?
In my experience after the storms the cell towers usually (a) get overloaded (b) disappear

There's always a hundred different little things along the way that will work for you as you continue to build up. I'd like to see this as a "living" thread as to what progress you make along the way.

I will keep it going as I progress, I would like to see some others folks stuff too so everyone can learn, shouldn't be an opsec issue

[becky3086]

We have no storm shelter whatsoever here. How I wish we did.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Didn't see matches or a lighter on your list, but I'm assuming you have one already? One Lighter, I'm a tier one survivalist of course I have a Li.... where did i leave that laying? thought i put that in there already sigh :(
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Maybe some candles as well? Scented perhaps since you DO have the toilet there as well lol. A can of air freshener at the least. One scented Candle for Mr Sensitive Nose Grand58742:cool:

Small battery operated radio? One Combo Radio - light

One American Flag to show you can't break down a brother!
Extra Paper Plates for the hungry
Extension Cord and extra twine



One Blue Press Magazine (For ordering new supplies, wink wink), oh wait, in my best Austin Powers voice, "Thats not mine honestly it's not!" One Credit Card reciept from Blue Press, "How did that get in there, it's not mine!" :)LOL

[Grand58742]

Now just add in a Ranger Joes catalog and a copy of Tactical Weapons for Military and Police. Nothing screams "I'm a prepper!" more than sitting on your 5 gallon toilet and browsing through the latest copy of a gun rag by candlelight.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Wife walked in with a partial can of paint she had in a box and asked if I needed it. I painted the latches to close the shelter just in case I aint there and anyone else is in panic mode and i painted the bottom step too.