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If you watch the weather, you’re probably wondering two things right now: Is 2026 going to be a bad tornado year?Do businesses really need a shelter now, or can this wait? The answer to these questions boils down to three forces converging at once: a sharper understanding of shifting tornado risk, code and standard updates that create…
What Makes A Home Storm-Ready? A storm-ready home resists wind uplift at the roof, keeps cladding and soffits tight, moves water off the walls and away from the foundation, manages moisture in the lowest level, and aligns with known flood risk from FEMA or local maps. If any one of those pieces looks weak, the…
The 2026 NAHB International Builders’ Show (IBS) returns to Orlando, Florida, February 17-19, bringing together more than 70,000 building professionals and 1,700+ exhibitors for North America’s largest residential construction event. This year’s show promises to showcase the latest innovations in home building, from cutting-edge technology to essential safety solutions. About IBS 2026 IBS 2026 is…
When is tornado season? You want a concise answer so you can plan weekends, set alerts, and stop worrying. But, unfortunately, it’s tricky, and something about the old answer no longer holds true. The old “spring-only” mental model misses too many real risks, including the kind of late night twister that arrives when no one…
Most successful community shelter projects integrate three streams—grants, financing, and local contributions—into a single budget. The reason? Federal mitigation grants rarely cover 100 percent. Loans and bonds cover gaps and timing. Local dollars can unlock the grant match and keep the project moving, so you aren’t waiting through another storm season while paperwork sits on…
Tornado risk is no longer limited to “Tornado Alley.” As severe weather expands into new regions, resilient home designs are becoming a smart differentiator and, increasingly, a buyer expectation.Strategies for Builders in an Expanding Tornado ZoneStorm resilience starts with the architecture and design phase, not as an afterthought. Builders who plan for safety from the…
Looking for a family tornado safety plan your kids can actually follow without spending all weekend on it? The goal is simple: when the threat of a tornado or severe thunderstorm looms, every family member knows where to go, what to grab, and how to communicate. There should be no debates, no scrambling, and no…
You want to know what tornado shelter liability for businesses really looks like–because leadership, insurers, or maybe even your gut is asking if the risk is worth the cost. What are your obligations? The short version: liability from tornadoes, or other severe weather events, flows through three channels: OSHA enforcement, employee injury systems, and civil…
The tornado sirens sound, and the countdown begins. A family in Central Oklahoma hears a warning and faces a split-second choice between a familiar basement staircase and a steel safe room bolted to the slab in their garage. The next decision determines the margin between minor injury and life-altering loss, between safety and disaster. Tornado…
Why Code Compliance with ICC-500 & FEMA P-320 Isn’t Just a Label, It’s a Homeowner’s LifelineTornado shelters built to ICC and FEMA standards are engineered to save lives. These life-safety structures are designed from tested materials, like high-strength steel, to meet or exceed federal best practices in wind and impact performance. The stakes are revealed…
Absolute protection means thinking about those who need it most.Why the Most Vulnerable Deserve Careful Planning for Tornado SafetyTornadoes are among the most unpredictable natural disasters. And, as with other disasters, tornado preparedness isn’t just about having flashlights and bottled water. Families often only have minutes after a tornado warning or sirens sound to get…
Tornado Shelter Choices Have Changed Here’s What Builders Miss Tornado shelter technology and design have evolved significantly in recent years. While shelters were once viewed as bunker-style, utilitarian structures, today’s options are sleek, efficient, and can be seamlessly integrated into modern home plans. Yet, many builders and homeowners still think of them as costly, intrusive…
What Civic Leaders Should Know About FEMA P-361 & ICC-500 StandardsEF5 tornadoes, with wind speeds exceeding 250 mph, are rare but devastating. As nature’s most violent storms, they represent a disproportionate share of tornado-related deaths and are capable of flattening entire neighborhoods. While no structure is fully tornado-proof, community storm shelters designed and installed to…
Why Most Parents Aren’t Ready for Tornado SeasonIf you’re a parent, you’ve likely done some storm prep. You’ve gathered flashlights, stocked bottled water, maybe even stashed a few granola bars. That’s a good start, but is it enough?According to FEMA’s 2020 preparedness survey, 81% of Americans say they’ve gathered emergency supplies, and 65% have sought…
Why Community Shelter Sizing Matters More Than You Think The size of a community shelter can be a matter of life and death during severe weather events. Overcrowded shelters have led to dangerous conditions. During recent tornado outbreaks, some shelters reported turning away dozens of people due to a lack of space, forcing families to…
The New Reality: Why Tornado Safety Is Also a Smart Financial Strategy In regions like Oklahoma, Texas, and Alabama, designated as Tornado Alley and Dixie Alley, severe weather is not a “maybe.” It’s a matter of when. Nationwide, tornadoes are increasing in both frequency and intensity, shifting how homeowners think about safety and about value. What…
Why Safety Sells: The Overlooked Market Power of Tornado SheltersTornado shelters are no longer just a safety upgrade; they’ve become a significant market differentiator for homes in storm-prone regions. Recent surveys reveal that more than 60% of U.S. homeowners want detailed information about storm safety features when buying a home, and nearly half actively seek…
Why Tornado Shelters Are More Than a Legal RequirementTornado shelters in schools aren’t just about checking a legal box; they are a life-or-death safeguard for students, staff, and the wider community. The U.S. experiences around 1,000 tornadoes each year, the highest frequency globally, resulting in hundreds of injuries and dozens of fatalities. In 2024 alone, tornadoes injured…
Think Tornado Season Ends in Spring? Think Again.For many homeowners, tornado season feels like a springtime concern, something that peaks between March and June and then fades away with the heat of summer. Late summer tornadoes are not a fluke, they’re part of the normal seasonal shift. Waiting until next spring to prepare may be…
As a homebuilder, one of your key priorities is ensuring that your clients are satisfied with their new homes and safe in the face of severe weather. Tornadoes, especially in Tornado Alley, can pose a significant threat to homes and families. That’s where Survive-A-Storm’s Homebuilder and Dealer Wholesale Program comes in, offering a cost-effective solution…
Severe weather events, like tornados, are increasingly common, making the need for reliable storm shelters even more critical. At Survive-A-Storm, we understand the importance of protecting your loved ones during life-threatening situations. That’s why we’re excited to introduce our latest innovation: the 3 x 5 Extreme Shelter. Developed with valuable input from our customers, this…
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,…
This blog post was originally posted in 2020, but it has been updated with current data. We were warned that this year (2024) would bring a particularly harsh season for hurricanes and tropical storms. Hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30, and though it started mild, the violence of hurricane season has officially…
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…