Houston Tornado and Storm Shelters
Though positioned outside of the traditional Tornado Alley, Houston, Texas, is no stranger to the threat of tornadoes. Houston's coastal location near the Gulf of Mexico contributes to a unique climatic mix that can foster the development of severe weather events, including hurricanes and tornadoes. The city has seen a number of significant tornadoes over the years, each contributing to shaping its preparedness efforts and the community's understanding of these powerful weather phenomena.
A Few Facts About Tornadoes in Houston:
- On November 21, 1992, a powerful F4 tornado struck the Channelview area in Houston, causing significant damage and loss of life. It remains one of the most devastating and destructive tornadoes in Houston's history.
- Houston's location near the Gulf of Mexico can contribute to increased tornado activity, especially during tropical storms and hurricanes. When these systems make landfall, they can often spawn tornadoes, adding to the city's overall tornado risk.
- The tornadoes of Hurricane Alicia: When Hurricane Alicia hit the Houston area in August 1983, it didn't come alone. The hurricane was responsible for spawning 22 tornadoes across the region, contributing to the damage and making Alicia one of the costliest hurricanes in Texas history. This event underlines the multi-faceted nature of weather threats that Houston faces due to its geographical location.
Buying a Tornado Shelter in Houston
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
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
- 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
- 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 Houston:
New Hope Baptist Church. 6430 Court Rd
New Mount Calvary Baptist Church. 6050 Beldart St
Auchan. 6059 South Loop East
Hardin-Houston Local Schools. 5300 Houston Road
Houston Secondary Sbc. 306 W. Elm St
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church - Parish Hall 4600 Reed Rd
University Baptist Church. 16106 Middlebrook Dr
Champion Forest Baptist Church at Jersey Village 16518 Jersey Drive
Sheldon Early Childhood Academy. 17010 Beaumont Highway
Saint Phillip Presbyterian Church. 4807 San Felipe
St. Johns Presbyterian Church. 5020 WEST BELLFORT
New Jerusalem Ministries. 1613 WEST LITTLE YORK ROAD
St. Stephen Baptist Church - Loving Word. 170 Rittenhouse
St. Marks United Methodist Church. 600 Pecore St
Copperfield Church. 8350 Hwy 6 North
NOTRE DAME CHURCH. 7720 BOONE ROAD
Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church. 4930 W Bellfort Ave
Central Assembly Of God Church. 155 McGovern Road
CHARTIERS-HOUSTON JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL . 2050 W PIKE ST
Magnolia Multi Service Center. 7037 Capitol
Third Ward Multi-svc Center. 3611 Ennis St
Grace Church - Grace Christian Academy. 14325 Crescent Landing DR
Advent Lutheran Church. 5820 Pinemont
Deliverance Temple Church Of The Living God 451 Victoria Dr.
First Presbyterian Church. 5300 Main Street
Acres Homes Community Development Corporation. 6719 W. Montgomery Rd.
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. 215 Rittenhouse
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. 5308 Buffalo Speedway
Southwest Community Christian Center. 14880 Bellaire Blvd
First Baptist Church Of Jacinto City. 10701 Wiggins
Clear Lake Presbyterian Church. 1511 El Dorado Blvd
Heights Christian Church. 1703 Heights Blvd
Christ The King Lutheran Church. 2353 RICE BOULEVARD
St Peter Claver Catholic Church. 6005 NORTH WAYSIDE
Lindale Assembly of God Church. 503 Reid St
First Baptist Church- Houston. 1241 Hawthorn ST.
Houston Senior Center. 301 S. Grand
Houston United Methodist. 422 Hawthorne
Forge for Families. 3435 Dixie Drive
Fair Haven United Methodist Church. 1330 gessner drive
Jacinto City Municipal Courts & Community Building. 1025 Oates Rd
Chinese Community Center. 9800 Town Park
St. Andrews Presbyterian. 5308 Buffalo Speedway
Chicano Family Center. 7524 Avenue E
Houston High School. 12501 W Hawk Lane
Son Rise Community Church. 5609 E Mount Houston Rd
Memorial Drive Presbyterian church. 11612 Memorial drive
New Deliverance Church. 14538 Minetta
Houston Elementary Sbc. 310 S. Sherman St
Parkway Baptist Church. 200 5th Avenue
St. Matthew Baptist Church. 678 North Jefferson Street