Storm Shelter

[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!

[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.

[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.

[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?