tornadoes

**tennecedar** · 04-17-2009, 11:39 PM

Associated Press - April 17, 2009 1:15 PM ET

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Emergency management experts say Tennesseans need disaster plans because they live in the state with the most tornado-related deaths during the past decade.

National Weather Service meteorologist Bobby Boyd says a pre-designated storm shelter, NOAA weather radio and emergency medical kit are necessary to increase chances of survival.

A tornado that hit Murfreesboro on April 10 reached winds of up to 200 mph, killing two people and injuring at least 40 others.

Tennessee has had 110 tornado-related deaths since 1999, followed by Missouri with 67 deaths.

Boyd says fewer homes with basements, a hilly terrain and a high percentage of people living in mobile homes make Tennessee more susceptible to tornado-related deaths.

I've decided to build a dedicated storm shelter. No more root cellar we can crowd into. If the S could HTF there's no since in standing in front of the fan.
Steel and concrete construction with isolated DC power and ventilation ducts. Emergency gear in place. Grab the family and wait it out. I plan on starting construction next month.
The design is set in stone ,so to speak. I wonder what else should already be in place before we need to use it. Water storage? Food?
Any helpful ideas would be greatly appreciated.

**crashdive123** · 04-17-2009, 11:57 PM

Water, food, flashlights, batteries, radio, first aid gear, personal protection (not that - get your mind out of the gutter), something for the kids to keep them occupied. Just figure how long you might need to stay in and stock accordingly.

**Rick** · 04-18-2009, 06:41 AM

Look into the pre-fabricated ones. My cousin in Illinois put one in and it was a pretty good deal. They did the whole thing in a day or two. It's large enough for five adults to ride out a storm.

One thing to consider, no matter what type of shelter you go with, a door that opens outward can be blocked by debris. A door that slides can generally be opened even if stuff is on top of it. Even then, you might want to toss a jack in the shelter just in case. Cars can get tossed a mile or more and it would be just my luck to be the proud owner of a slightly used full size Chevy pickup parked right on top of my shelter and me.

**mountain mama** · 04-18-2009, 11:01 AM

Tornados are pretty short lived, it doesn't take much to ride one out. Flashlight, candles or lantern, matches, NOAA radio, snacks, first aid kit, water, snack foods, crow bar (in case you need to pry your way out), radio for calling out for help if needed.

**wareagle69** · 04-19-2009, 07:51 AM

like crash says, find a way to entertain yourself, in times of stress if you can put on your game face and distact the others it will help, but also a MM says the duration should be short lived, althought the resulting grid loss may take more time neccetating your longer stay in your bunker

**mountain mama** · 04-19-2009, 10:26 AM

My family bunkered down in the storage room of the mall in Wichita Falls on Terrible Tuesday (April 10, 1979). My brother and I were only young at the time and I doubt any game of Monopoly or Scrabble would have detered our attention from the matter at hand.

My father went out to call my grandparents (who were supposed to meet us at the mall). As he was using the payphone, the line went dead. He looked into the parking lot to see cars swirling into the sky. He ran into the building just in time for the glass doors and windows to come smashing into his back. He barely made it into the storage room in time. When it was all over (within a matter of minutes), the roof of the mall had been ripped off and there was a major gas leak at JC Penney's, so evacuation of the mall was necessary. We then went to the parking lot only to find our car (a rental, thank God) under two other vehicles.

My point is that when there is a natural disaster such as a tornado, you never know where you will be, so be as prepared as you can be in whatever situation you find yourself in. And, I don't recommend trying to entertain the troops, just try to stay alive.

**crashdive123** · 04-19-2009, 10:51 AM

You make a good point. Being aware of your surroundings is going to be paramount to being able to take the steps needed. My reference to the things to keep kids occupied was for when things calm down. In the aftermath of a situation like that often times shock can and will set in. Keeping occupied in activities, be it entertainment for kids, or clean up for others will go a long way in helping people keep their wits about them.

**mountain mama** · 04-19-2009, 11:01 AM

That's true, some people do tend to freak out after a disaster. My brother wouldn't sleep alone for months after that tornado, while I never gave it a second thought.