Storm Shelter

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Anything special you are doing with the batteries for storage? Especially in light of the heat and humidity?
Ziplock bags and stored in a tub. Some items will come out around Novemeber and I will use that stuff first in rotation so it won't be an issue

And how warm does your shelter get when packed away with your family? Warm wasn't an issue as much as just stuffy, I left a fan down there and ran an extension cord while we in there about an hour and half. I put the deep cycle, battery charger and the inverter down there as well. They wont stay down there but will be stored there instead of the garage. I would still like to get some kind of battery fan on one of the vent pipes.

Constantly evolving!

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Added another cheapie multi-purpose led light and 3 more soaps and a dishwashing soap from a hotel stay.

The soap was added to the other toiletries in the bucket with seat lid.

Preps don't have to be expensive:cool:

[Matt In Oklahoma]

My son, AKA Force Multiplier, moved back in so his small and portable 950wt generator and fuel found a home in the hole!
I got a magnesium fire starter to put in there too. I know there will plenty of firewood after the storm hits, sometimes even from the neighbors woodpile! LOL

[claymore]

Battery operated lamp,few books,cards, paper and pencil etc.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Battery operated lamp,few books,cards, paper and pencil etc.

I have one battery lamp, need the rest huh?

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Someone I know says they "have an fairly new air matress they are gonna get rid of, you want it?" Uh yeah
into the hole, this combined with the cot i can now sleep 3!

[All Talk]

If I can go back to the orignal post, the fact that you see a 2 foot waterline from years back, but that you recently weathered significant rains with no seepage made me think of this:

1) The 2-ft waterline flood occured some time in the past when there was no sump pump yet, or
2) the sump pump was broken at some critical point in the past, or
3) the power was out at some critical point in the past.

Having built my home with an underground "shelter" (more about that some other time), I have experienced all of these events; everytime, my 5-inch waterline was rapidly reached in a strong rain. The good news is, the five-inch line was never exceeded.


This suggests to me, if you haven't already thought of this, that you should have a battery back-up sump pump, that your stores should be on shelves above the historical high water mark, and you think about what your time in that shelter will be like if it is knee deep in water and how you might make that more bearable.

Tornadoes tend to come with lots of rain, and they tend to take out grid power.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

If I can go back to the orignal post, the fact that you see a 2 foot waterline from years back, but that you recently weathered significant rains with no seepage made me think of this:

1) The 2-ft waterline flood occured some time in the past when there was no sump pump yet, or
2) the sump pump was broken at some critical point in the past, or
3) the power was out at some critical point in the past.

Having built my home with an underground "shelter" (more about that some other time), I have experienced all of these events; everytime, my 5-inch waterline was rapidly reached in a strong rain. The good news is, the five-inch line was never exceeded.


This suggests to me, if you haven't already thought of this, that you should have a battery back-up sump pump, that your stores should be on shelves above the historical high water mark, and you think about what your time in that shelter will be like if it is knee deep in water and how you might make that more bearable.

Tornadoes tend to come with lots of rain, and they tend to take out grid power.

My bottom shelf is below but contains only bottled water which is still salvagable if it takes a dunk. That record rain was a doozy, lasted for days and the folks who had it back then didnt have a sump pump. I may not be here long enough to justify a pump just yet. Sure not now LOL we are in a record drought

[All Talk]

If you do go for a pump, maybe you go straight for a battery-powered back-up pump only. This is only a bad idea if the sump has to run periodcially month in and out (as in moister climes). The battery back-up is a trickle-charged marine battery, 12 volt, so you could also run other gadgets off it (assuming flooding wasn't the main issue on the day your take shelter). This also assumes the sump pit is in the actual shelter.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Got a coupon for a free box of wipes. They will go in there and then I will pull them out and use them during the deer seasons and fall hikes because they dry out after a while.

[overbore]

If there is any chance of a heavy object blocking your exit, I suggest a real stout crow bar. Our probably tips in at 70# plus a wedge or two, hydraulic jack-- self rescue is the idea. We go hit so share your great ideas- When not if and with what are questions to be answered .

Laus Deo
overbore

[Matt In Oklahoma]

If there is any chance of a heavy object blocking your exit, I suggest a real stout crow bar. Our probably tips in at 70# plus a wedge or two, hydraulic jack-- self rescue is the idea. We go hit so share your great ideas- When not if and with what are questions to be answered .Laus Deo overbore

I did put a hydraulic jack and a bar of steel in there in a previous post. There is always a chance of being blocked in cause the tornados bring over what the neighbors have and drop it on you LOL, took 4 days for a guy to figure out who's horse was in his swimming pool on the last one!

[barfife]

There is always a chance of being blocked in cause the tornados bring over what the neighbors have and drop it on you LOL, took 4 days for a guy to figure out who's horse was in his swimming pool on the last one!

Must have been a "sea horse"!

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Must have been a "sea horse"!

LOL ur burned up!

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Time to revive this again folks. I know it's early but we have already had some weather and have some more moving in tomorrow so time to update your water, food and do a battery check for the dungeon.
This is my latest freebie addition combined with a fresh 5gl tank so now combined with my camping grill we can cook/heat alot or for a while.



Stay safe, plan ahead and prepare, it's never what you see but what you don't that gets you!