Tornado and Storm Information Articles

For Skylar Henson, owner of Latitude 37 Development in Wichita, Kansas, tornado shelters aren’t a luxury upgrade or an optional add-on. They’re a standard feature in every new home his company builds.In a region where severe weather is part of life, Henson believes tornado shelters in new home construction are a must-have feature for both…

You’ve probably wondered whether installing a tornado shelter is just an expense or an actual investment. The short answer is that it depends entirely on where you live and what type of shelter you choose. In tornado-prone regions, shelters can add thousands to your home’s value and help it sell faster. In low-risk areas, you…

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…

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…

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…

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…