Lousiville Tornado and Storm Shelters

Louisville, known for its bourbon, baseball, and the Kentucky Derby, is a city that embodies the cultural richness of the Bluegrass State. Yet, Louisville's vibrancy and charm coexist with the periodic threat of tornadoes, a reality of life in this part of the Ohio Valley. These whirlwinds bear testimony to the city's place in a diverse climatic zone, where warm and cold air masses often collide, leading to severe weather.

A Few Facts About Tornadoes in Louisville:

  • On March 27, 1890, an F4 tornado, which became known as the "Great Louisville Tornado," struck Louisville, causing significant damage and loss of life. Despite its occurrence over a century ago, this event remains one of the deadliest tornadoes in the city's history.

 

  • The April 3-4, 1974 Super Outbreak, one of the largest tornado outbreaks in U.S. history, affected a large part of the eastern United States, including Louisville. The city was struck by multiple tornadoes during this event, underscoring its vulnerability to severe weather.

 

  • On June 26, 2012, an EF2 tornado struck parts of Louisville, causing significant property damage but no fatalities. This tornado, although not the most powerful to have hit the city, showed how the city's emergency response systems have evolved over time, ensuring a swift and efficient response to such events.

Buying a Tornado Shelter in Louisville

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

Residential Underground Tornado Shelters

Community Tornado Shelters

Above Ground Shelters

Delivery
Installation

Below Ground Shelters

Delivery
Installation
TwisterPod

TwisterPod

ABOVE GROUND
4.7
Seats 4 | $3,995
Seats 6 | $5,100
TwisterCube

Extreme

ABOVE GROUND
4.5
Seats 5 | 4x4 | $5,300
Seats 8 | 4x6 | $5,760
Seats 10 | 4x8 | $8,270
Seats 12 | 6x6 | $8,470
Seats 16 | 6x8 | $8,985
Seats 10 | 8x4 | $8,270
Seats 16 | 8x6 | $8,985
Panelized

Panelized

ABOVE GROUND
4.3
Seats 5 | 4x4 | $5,350
Seats 8 | 4x6 | $6,370
Seats 10 | 4x8 | $7,190
Seats 8 | 6x4 | $6,370
Seats 12 | 6x6 | $7,190
Seats 16 | 6x8 | $8,215
Seats 10 | 8x4 | $7,190
Seats 16 | 8x6 | $8,215
GarageCube

GarageCube

BELOW GROUND
4.2
Seats 10 | $7,315
Estate

Estate

BELOW GROUND
4.6
Seats 10 | $7,525
Seats 16 | $9,775

Delivery and Installation Options for Above-Ground and Below-Ground Tornado Shelters in Louisville

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.

 
StormWarn

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 in Louisville

  1. 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.
  2. Selecting Contractors
    Find a couple of companies in the search results to inquire about installation.
  3. 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.

  4. 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 in Louisville

  1. Finding a Local Contractor for Installation
    Search for local septic tank companies or general contractors with high-rating reviews to perform the installation.
  2. Selecting Contractors
    Find a couple of companies in the search results to inquire about installation.
  3. 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.

  4. 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.

Tornado Shelters in Louisville, Kentucky

Finding a safe place to shelter during severe weather is crucial. If you're seeking tornado shelters in Louisville, Kentucky, refer to the list below. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we cannot guarantee the completeness or accuracy of these details. We advise contacting local emergency management offices directly for the most accurate shelter information.

Public Tornado Shelters in Louisville:

Louisville Metro Safe Room

  • Address: 633 W Jefferson St, Louisville, KY 40202
  • Phone: 502-574-8000

Kentucky Exposition Center - Safe Room

  • Address: 937 Phillips Ln, Louisville, KY 40209
  • Phone: 502-367-5000

University of Louisville Safe Room

  • Address: 2301 S 3rd St, Louisville, KY 40208
  • Phone: 502-852-5555

Louisville Metro Emergency Services

  • Address: 701 W Ormsby Ave, Louisville, KY 40203
  • Phone: 502-574-3900
  • Email: [email protected]

Louisville Metro Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Contact Information:

Primary Contact:

  • Address: 410 S 5th St, Suite 200, Louisville, KY 40202
  • Phone: 502-574-3900
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Louisville OEM

Additional Resources:

Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM):

For further tornado shelter information, visit:

Stay safe and monitor local alerts regularly!