Above Ground Articles

FEMA 361: Understanding Commercial Tornado Shelters and Community Safe Rooms

When it comes to protecting people from the devastating effects of storms, having a well-designed tornado shelter is crucial. While FEMA 320 provides valuable guidance for homeowners looking to build or buy individual tornado shelters, FEMA 361 takes things a step further by offering extensive guidelines specifically for commercial and community safe rooms. The document,…

FEMA 320: A Great Guide for Residential Tornado Shelters

FEMA P-320 is a guide to residential storm shelters: it promotes understanding tornadoes and deciding on the best protection for you and your loved ones. Survive-A-Storm Shelters follows the regulations outlined in the FEMA P-320 publication, from size and occupancy standards to engineering specifications in the construction of storm shelters.Why Should I Use FEMA 320…

Above Ground Tornado Shelters and Relocation: What If I Move or Buy a New Home?

According to the US Census Bureau, in 2022, approximately 27.1 million people—about 8.4% of the U.S. population—moved to a new home, highlighting how the days of buying a house and staying in it for decades are becoming less common. With so many people on the move, it’s no surprise that a frequent question about our…

The Top Tornado Shelter Companies of 2024

If you’re looking for a tornado shelter company in your area, it can be hard to know who to call. After all, you have choices. Should you go with a regional supplier or one with a more national presence? You can always roll the dice and Google this information, but there is probably no comprehensive,…

The Importance of Tornado Shelter Maintenance

In the heart of storm season, your home tornado shelter is like a silent guardian, ready to protect you and your loved ones from nature’s fiercest winds. It’s not just a structure; it’s a haven of safety in the tumult of a storm. But, like a guardian, it needs care and attention to perform its…

The Faraday Cage Effect and Tornado Shelters

There’s a lot of fear around tornadoes and staying protected – and for good reason. We’ve all seen the pictures of entire towns decimated by tornadoes. At Survive-A-Storm, we’re in the business of protecting people. Our tornado shelters are constructed using sturdy steel and tested to withstand the high winds and powerful force of an…

The Importance of Anchors with Tornado Shelters

The threat of tornadoes is a constant reminder of nature’s unpredictable power. We understand the worry that comes with sheltering from a powerful tornado. We see this fear present in the questions asked by those who wonder how we can possibly anchor down something above ground against an EF5 tornado.The answer is in the science…

Safe and Sound: Exploring the Types of Residential Tornado Shelters

As the sun sets on a quiet suburban neighborhood, families gather in their homes in relative comfort and security. Inside, children play in the living room, parents prepare the evening meal, and the world outside is a distant concern. It’s a testament to the peace that a safe home can offer. But, there’s also an…

When Installing an Above-Ground Residential Tornado Shelter Makes Sense

Tornadoes are unpredictable and if you’re not prepared the results could be devastating – injuries to you and your family, or even death. The best way to stay safe during a tornado is inside a tornado shelter. Installing a tornado shelter at your home requires a lot of consideration and careful planning. We’ve covered the intricacies…

Dispelling Myths: The Truth about Tornado Shelters

Social media has changed us as a society. Instant opinions are everywhere. It’s no surprise that even the most well-intentioned topics face scrutiny from naysayers. Tornado shelters, designed to be safe havens during severe storms, are no exception.We have many kinds of shelters because there are many, many different environmental concerns in the US. Think…

Choosing a Commercial Tornado Shelter for Your Business

Imagine being at work, all day you’ve heard the sound of driving rain, the skies are dark and now it’s starting to hail. While it’s bad weather, you can’t just leave work every time the sky looks threatening. You’ve just heard that the National Weather Service has upgraded your area from a tornado watch to…

Don't Risk It - Invest in a Commercial Tornado Shelter for your Business

Everyone knows tornadoes are risky. Thanks to Hollywood, we know that tornadoes can be dangerous, even deadly.At their least worrisome, an EF0 tornado can cause mild damage to outbuildings and small sheds, and take shingles off of roofs. At the other end of the Fujita scale, an EF5 tornado can have winds 200-300 mph and…