Birmingham Tornado and Storm Shelters
Birmingham, Alabama, located in the southern region of the United States, has a long history of interactions with tornadoes. These powerful cyclones have shaped the city's narrative, influencing its approach to disaster response and contributing to the resilience of its community. From the devastating 1977 Smithfield tornado to more recent occurrences, Birmingham's experience with these formidable weather phenomena tells a tale of courage, unity, and an unwavering commitment to recovery and preparedness.
A Few Facts About Tornadoes in Birmingham:
- April 4, 1977: Known as the "Smithfield Tornado," this F5 tornado struck Birmingham directly, causing extensive damage and resulting in 22 fatalities. This event remains one of the deadliest tornadoes in Alabama's history.
- April 27, 2011: Birmingham was significantly affected during the 2011 Super Outbreak, one of the largest and most severe tornado outbreaks in U.S. history. An EF4 tornado struck the northern suburbs of Birmingham, causing extensive damage and multiple fatalities.
- January 23, 2012: An EF3 tornado caused significant damage in the greater Birmingham area, particularly in the suburb of Center Point. Despite the severity of the storm, there were no fatalities.
Buying a Tornado Shelter in Birmingham
Our shelters are designed, tested, and approved to withstand up to EF5 tornadoes to provide a safe, secure place for you and your loved ones to wait out the weather. With a variety of sizes (4 to 16 people) and styles to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect shelter to meet your needs.
Residential Above-Ground Tornado Shelters
Above Ground Shelters
TwisterPod
Extreme
Panelized
GarageCube
Estate
Delivery and Installation Options for Above-Ground and Below-Ground Tornado Shelters in Birmingham
Tornadoes are devastating and unpredictable natural disasters that can cause extensive damage to homes and properties. One of the best ways to stay safe during a tornado is to have a tornado shelter. Tornado shelters come in different types, with above-ground and below-ground tornado shelters being the most common.
We offer delivery and installation in various regions of the U.S. but if you prefer to conduct the installation yourself or our outside our installation area, here are some of the steps you will need to take.
For above-ground shelters, it's important to note that the concrete slab is not included in the package.
As for below-ground shelters, they are delivered on a standard truck with a flatbed.
Know when severe weather is about to strike and when it's time for you to take shelter with our StormWarn texting program.
Above-Ground Tornado Shelter Installation for Birmingham
- Finding a Local Contractor for Installation
Search for local contractors in your area, who will need to be hired to pour the slab. Look for contractors with high-rating reviews. - Selecting Contractors
Find a couple of companies in the search results to inquire about installation. - Calling a Contractor for Installation
Call a contractor and ask them for a quote on installing an above-ground tornado shelter.The installation process can be performed by anyone who is competent in drilling (concrete company, concrete installer, contractor) into concrete can install. We have a built-in template in all of our shelters that shows exactly where to predrill and sink wedge bolts. All hardware and instructions are shipped with the shelter. We will even speak with any general contractor to make sure they understand what the job requires.
The concrete slab should be at least 4" thick with a minimum psi of 3000. No wire mesh is required, but the pad size should be a minimum of 14' x 12' for a 4" thick slab, or 12' x 10' for a 6" thick slab.
You can download the installation instructions for the tornado shelter: TwisterPod, Extreme, Panelized.
- Preparing for Installation
Survive-A-Storm will have a third-party shipper deliver the shelter to your location and offload it at the end of your driveway. Your installation time can depend on a few factors that include, temperature and humidity that can affect the cure time for the concrete. Pouring the concrete for above ground shelter installation is your responsibility and should be allowed to cure for two weeks. Installation time after the concrete is poured should be less than four hours.Rent equipment like pallet jacks, forklifts, or small tractors with forks to maneuver the shelter to your desired location. If you can arrange for an installation to be done on the same day, your contractor may be able to move the shelter for you.
Below-Ground Tornado Shelter Delivery and Installation for Birmingham
- Finding a Local Contractor for Installation
Search for local septic tank companies or general contractors with high-rating reviews to perform the installation. - Selecting Contractors
Find a couple of companies in the search results to inquire about installation. - Calling a Contractor for Installation
Call a contractor and ask them for a quote on installing an above-ground tornado shelter. You can download the installation instructions for the tornado shelter: GarageCube.Let the contractor or company know that the shelter should be buried at least 12" below the surface.
- Preparing for Installation
In case you are outside the installation range, Survive-A-Storm will have a third-party shipper deliver the shelter to your location and offload it at the end of your driveway.By understanding the delivery and installation options for above-ground and below-ground tornado shelters, you can ensure that your shelter is installed correctly and provides the protection you need during a tornado.
Survive-A-Storm Shelters offers near-absolute protection with a full line of above-ground and below-ground storm shelters. Survive-A-Storm Shelters are FEMA-compliant and able to withstand winds and debris from any EF5 tornado.
With affordable pricing, nearly anyone can afford one. There's also financing through Enhancify and Affinity, making storm shelter loans very accessible to our customers.
You can buy a storm shelter locally, through select Home Depot Stores, or the Extreme brand at Lowe's. Amazon and e-Bay are also great online options for purchasing Survive-A-Storm Shelters.
Public Tornado Shelters in Birmingham area:
Below are locations provided by the Birmingham area Emergency Management Office.
Adamsville
Adamsville Storm Shelter
421 Spring Street Adamsville, AL 35005
205-674-5671
Adger
7276 Johns Road Adger, AL 35005
205-424-6310
Bagley
Bagley Storm Shelter
7175 Bankhead Highway Dora, AL 35062
205-648-4608
Bessemer
Bessemer Community Storm Shelter
657 9th Avenue Southwest Bessemer, AL 35022
205 425-2411
Birmingham
Jimmie Hudson Park
305 Pratt Highway Birmingham, AL 35214
205-250-7552
Birmingham
North Smithfield Manor 1
4355 Hutson Avenue North
Birmingham, AL 35207
Birmingham
North Smithfield Manor 2
2201 North Smithfield Manor Lane
Birmingham, AL 35207
Birmingham
Pratt City Park
1331 3rd Street
Birmingham, AL 35214
205-250-7552
Birmingham
Smithfield Estates
1706 Huntingdon Place
Birmingham, AL
205-250-7552
Birmingham
South Hampton School
565 Sheridan Road
Birmingham, AL 35214
205-250-7552
Birmingham
Edgewater Oaks Subdivision
796 Lannie Bonner Circle
Birmingham, AL
Brookside
Brookside Fire Department Storm Shelter
2711 Municipal Drive
Brookside, AL 35036
205-674-8205
Concord
Concord Shelter
6017 Willow Court
Bessemer, AL 35023
205-491-1170
Fultondale
Storm Shelter Central
3320 Hubbert Drive
Fultondale, AL 35068
205-841-0075
Fultondale
Storm Shelter Main
601 Main Street
Fultondale, AL 35068
205-841-0075
Fultondale
Storm Shelter West
2520 Walker Chapel Road
Fultondale, AL 35068
205-841-0075
Trussville
Paine Elementary School
7600 Gadsden Highway
Trussville, AL 35173
Warrior
Warrior Storm Shelter #1
140 Cane Creek Road
Warrior, AL 35180
205-647-1579
Warrior
Warrior Storm Shelter #2
600 U.S. Highway 31
Warrior, AL 35180
205-647-1579
Gardendale
Gardendale Storm Shelter
121 Pinnacle Drive
Gardendale, AL 35071
205-631-6660
Graysville
Graysville Cherry Avenue Shelter
4051 Cherry Avenue
Graysville, AL 35073
205-674-5643 x4
Graysville
Graysville Community Center Shelter
171 2nd Street
Graysville, AL 35073
205-674-5643 x4
Graysville
Graysville East Community Shelter
342 Rosenthal Road
Graysville, AL 35073
205-674-5643 x4
Hueytown
Hueytown City Storm Shelter
108 Forest Road
Hueytown, AL 35023
205-491-3587
Lipscomb
5441 11th Street
Lipscomb, AL 35020
205-428-6374
Martintown Storm Shelter
435 Bo Jackson Avenue
Bessemer, AL 35020
205-424-0143
McAdory I
4400 Harper Road
Bessemer, AL 35022
205-425-1028
McDonald Chapel
5729 Holland Avenue
Birmingham, AL 35224
Morris
Morris Community Storm Shelter
8304 Stouts Road
Morris, AL 35116
205-647-0597
Oak Grove
Oak Grove Shelter
8826 Lock 17 Road
Bessemer, AL 35023
205-491-1170
Palmerdale
Palmerdale Community Storm Shelter
5340 Miles Springs Road
Pinson, AL 35126
205-681-7779
Pleasant Grove
464 7th Avenue
Pleasant Grove, AL 35127
205-744-1735
Sylvan Springs
Sylvan Springs Storm Shelter
100 Rock Creek Road
Sylvan Springs, AL 35118
205-591-3210
Tannehill State Park
12632 Confederate Parkwa
McCalla, AL 35111
205-477-5711
Trussville
Cahaba Elementary School
301 Parkway Drive
Trussville, AL 35172
Trussville
Hewitt-Trussville Middle School
5275 Trussville Clay Road
Trussville, AL 35172
Trussville
Magnolia Elementary School
5400 Hidden Way Lane
Trussville, AL 35173
Warrior
Warrior Storm Shelter #3
309 Trafford Road
Warrior, AL 35180
205-647-1579