Why Don't More Homes Built In Tornado Alley Include Storm Cellars?

Question

With many new homes being built in Tornado Alley of the US you would think storm cellers should be a standard item. Do you feel there should be a law requiring a basic stormceller in each dwelling to save lives each year? If not, what would be your solution for occupant protection in homes against Tornadoes?

Answer 1

Basements.

Actually, there is a relatively new development - a storm room in the basement. It's made of cement block walls, with the blocks poured full of cement, and reinforcing steel rods (re-rod) put in through the blocks, and they're also anchored into the cement floor. It has a solid cement roof, and a steel door with a steel frame. There are 3 deadbolt locks on the door - near the top, the middle, and the bottom. Make it big enough to hold the whole family, plus a few extras, and you can ride out a tornado in safety. One of the major universities in tornado alley designed and tested it. The test included shooting a 2 by 4 at the wall. On a regular block wall, the board went through it. On this reinforced wall, it splintered the board.

Answer 2

It is a risk/cost issue. It would make more sense to outlaw motor vehicles than to mandate storm shelters in all homes and save many more lives.

An average year sees over 40,000 deaths in the U.S. from motor vehicle related accidents. Tornadoes average around 60 deaths per year based on statistics from the Storm Prediction Center.

Most houses have a relative safe place that is survivable during most tornadoes. Statistics show that mobile or manufactured homes have a much higher risk factor than site built homes. That is why mobile home parks are encourage to build community storm shelters but there is no law that requires even that be done.

If a person is concerned that additional shelter or protection is needed, they can either built an shelter or a safe room as described above. (Texas Tech has done excellent research and design on them.) But to mandate all homes must be built with a shelter is a little extreme even in the middle of tornado alley.

No, most site constructed homes have a reasonably safe area from tornadoes without mandating the additional cost of a shelter.