“I’m in front of millions of people every year, talking to people who are in the path of damaging tornadoes, so I’ve been looking for a company for a long time to work with to try and get storm shelters out there. I’ve found that company in Survive-A-Storm.”
“This thing is the real deal. If you’ve ever thought about getting one of these, this is the place to get it - right here!”
– Ryan Hall
YouTuber & Weather Analyst
Delivery outside our service area is a flat rate $250.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you a member of the NSSA?
Yes, we are. By being a member, we are held to the highest engineering and ethical standards and our shelters are placed under the scrutiny of engineer peer-reviews. No shelter from an NSSA member has ever failed when subjected to an EF5 tornado.
What sort of testing have your shelters gone through?
All of our shelters have gone through debris impact testing as well as wind speed testing at the Texas Tech Wind Institution. We are also a Commercial Producer Member of the NSSA, which is another third-party testing agency. Our shelters are rated to withstand an EF5 tornado. The third-party tests included: a missile test (which shoots a 2x4 at shelters at 250 mph), a crush test, (this simulates a full-size car being dropped onto a shelter from 70 feet), and a wind tunnel test to test lift.
What if lightning strikes my unit?
Our shelters are designed as a Faraday Cage, and the result is that the electrical charge is eliminated from the interior. It is impossible to be electrocuted in a Survive-A-Storm shelter.
What is the lead time for your TwisterPod shelters?
What is the lead time for your Extreme shelters?
What is the lead time for your Panelized shelters?
What is the lead time for your below-ground shelters?
What happens if debris or other things land on top of the door of our underground shelter?
There are a few fail-safes. We suggest purchasing an optional door jack to use in the event of a blockage. We also provide our GPS Service with every shelter. If a tornado touches down in your area, we will attempt to contact you after the storm. If we are unable to contact you or your emergency contacts, we notify emergency services and provide the exact GPS coordinates of your shelter so that they can provide assistance.
Do you take down payments on your shelters to start the purchase process?
Do you offer a rent-to-own program?
We don’t offer a rent-to-own program, but we have multiple financing options available: https://survive-a-storm.com/financing/
How do you treat condensation in a below-ground storm shelter?
What is the advantage of steel tornado shelters over concrete tornado shelters?
Concrete shelters hold moisture and can leak. All of our steel storm shelters are designed with a proprietary leak test to eliminate concerns about leaking.
What are the specs for the concrete pad needed for the TwisterPod?
You have three options. You can start with an 8'x8' slab at 4" thick, or a 7'x7' slab at 6" thick with 2" of the slab buried below the ground. Or, last, a 5'x5' slab at 24" thick with 20" of slab buried below the ground. The concrete needs to be 3000 psi. Rebar and wire mesh are not required, and we do not pour the concrete.
Do the underground Estate shelters have air intake?
Yes, our Estate shelters have vents under the hatch entrance. The vent is protected so no debris can get into the shelter, and air can flow in. There is ventilation around the door of the shelter and a conduit for electricity, if needed.
Where are vents located on the Extreme units?
There is a vent on the back of the shelter directly behind the door entrance and vents at the escape hatch. We supply magnetic strips to cover the vents and prevent debris from entering the shelter.
Are there security locks for the outside of TwisterPod when not in use?
What is the layout of the 8x6 Extreme shelter?
The door is on the 8' side and the shelter is six feet deep. There is a bench on the back wall and an escape hatch next to the door.
What is the difference between the 4x6 and the 6x4 Extreme Units?
The only difference is the orientation of the door. The 4x6 has the door on the 4' section, 6x4 has the door on the 6' section.
Where are the air vents on the 4x6 Extreme cube?
The escape hatch itself is a vent and another set of vents are located directly behind the door.
What size anchor bolts do you use for the TwisterPod 4-person model?
We use 3-inch 3/16 Redhead wedge bolts. The bolts are placed every 12 inches around the base of the shelter.
How big is the escape hatch on the Extreme 4x6 or 4x8?
The escape hatch for either shelter is 24" x 24".
What is the range of cost of installation of above-ground shelters?
For our above-ground models, installation ranges from $425 to $525 + mileage and applicable sales tax.
Do you conduct a site visit before delivery?
We will conduct a virtual site visit with you. We will ask you to provide us with a series of photos. These photos will need to show the slab, with the space for the shelter marked, the height of the installation area (if indoor), and the driveway from the road.
I am considering an above-ground shelter, what are the requirements for the concrete pad?
The concrete slab needs to be at least 4" thick, 3000+ psi. At 4" thick, the slab should be 14'x12', minimum. At 6" thick, the slab needs to be a minimum of 12'x10'.
Is there any guideline for the recommended separation of the shelter against a wall? Or can we install it as close as possible?
All of our shelters can go against the wall since there is an inner flange to anchor them.
If we are outside of your installion area for an above-ground shelter, who can install these?
The installer should be someone who is competent in drilling concrete, like a concrete company, a concrete installer, or a contractor. Our shelters have a built-in template that shows exactly where to pre-drill and sink wedge bolts. All hardware and instructions are shipped with the shelter.
Who can install Survive-A-Storm underground shelters?
A septic tank company or a general contractor can perform installations of our underground shelters.
How are your below-ground units delivered?
Our units are delivered using a standard truck and a flatbed trailer, with the shelter on it.
Are there design considerations during a homebuild for a GarageCube shelter? Or can it be installed after?
There are design considerations, but it can also be installed in an existing garage. The perfect time to install is after the slab is poured and before framing is finished. This allows you to place it in any part of the building. Once the building is framed, you will be limited to the area close to the garage opening.