Installation of Your Concrete Storm Shelter
Your storm shelter can be installed anywhere on your property you wish as long as you have adequate access and installation space for the truck and backhoe to operate. A good rule of thumb is an area no smaller than 32 ft x 54 ft. The actual finished and mounded shelter will have a surface footprint (including mound) of roughly 16 ft (front to back) x 20 ft (side to side). Our trucks are 36 ft long, 13 1/2 ft tall and weigh slightly less than 26,000 lbs loaded with your storm shelter. Dry weather and dry ground are required for installation of an in-ground unit.
We typically ask you to select 3 sites on your property where you think you might like to install the shelter. Once we arrive, we will walk your property with you prior to any excavation to help you determine the best location. We generally encourage placement of your shelter where it is most convenient for you and your family to reach in the event of a storm with little or no warning.
In many cases, a city lot is simply too small for us to be able to install an in-ground unit, but we are always open to taking a look at your property via satellite imagery to verify.
If your lot is too small for our in-ground shelter, consider our Interior Steel Safe Rooms
Local permits, if required, must be obtained by the homeowner and are not included in our pricing. Cities vary greatly in what they require and charge for permits. If you are inside of city limits, check with your permit office to see if one is necessary. If you are outside of city limits, there is normally no permit requirement at all.
Our pricing includes standard installation which typically takes about 3 1/2 hours to complete. Rock breaking is not included. We accept cash, checks and all major credit cards. Financing is available, please call us for details.
Your storm shelter can be installed anywhere on your property you wish as long as you have adequate access and installation space for the truck and backhoe to operate. A good rule of thumb is an area no smaller than 32 ft x 54 ft. The actual finished and mounded shelter will have a surface footprint (including mound) of roughly 16 ft (front to back) x 20 ft (side to side). Our trucks are 36 ft long, 13 1/2 ft tall and weigh slightly less than 26,000 lbs loaded with your storm shelter. Dry weather and dry ground are required for installation of an in-ground unit.
We typically ask you to select 3 sites on your property where you think you might like to install the shelter. Once we arrive, we will walk your property with you prior to any excavation to help you determine the best location. We generally encourage placement of your shelter where it is most convenient for you and your family to reach in the event of a storm with little or no warning.
In many cases, a city lot is simply too small for us to be able to install an in-ground unit, but we are always open to taking a look at your property via satellite imagery to verify.
If your lot is too small for our in-ground shelter, consider our Interior Steel Safe Rooms
Local permits, if required, must be obtained by the homeowner and are not included in our pricing. Cities vary greatly in what they require and charge for permits. If you are inside of city limits, check with your permit office to see if one is necessary. If you are outside of city limits, there is normally no permit requirement at all.
Our pricing includes standard installation which typically takes about 3 1/2 hours to complete. Rock breaking is not included. We accept cash, checks and all major credit cards. Financing is available, please call us for details.
Limitation of Liability (Design)
U.S. Storm Shelters, LLC cannot predict actual performance of any structure for tornadoes or severe storms but our designs incorporate current knowledge to best protect the occupants. The engineer and fabricator shall not be obligated or liable for actual, incidental, consequential, or other damages to users of this shelter for any purpose, including those installing or maintaining thereof.
U.S. Storm Shelters, LLC cannot predict actual performance of any structure for tornadoes or severe storms but our designs incorporate current knowledge to best protect the occupants. The engineer and fabricator shall not be obligated or liable for actual, incidental, consequential, or other damages to users of this shelter for any purpose, including those installing or maintaining thereof.
Make A Storm Preparedness Plan & Checklist
- Have a planned route to your storm shelter. Practice with all family members and pets so everyone is trained appropriately.
- Make sure you have the right tools on hand including fresh drinking water, flashlights or battery powered lights with extra batteries, and a portable weather radio.
- Keep a fully charged mobile phone (or two) with you to keep your line of communication open.
- Get "Tornado - American Red Cross" app (App Store or Google Play) to keep you constantly updated about threat.
- Check with your county Emergency Management Coordinator to see if they maintain a registry of homes with storm shelters.
- Keep an Emergency Contact List on hand with all out-of-state family members, friends and neighbors.
- Ensure that you have made plans for your pets in case a severe storm emergency arises.
- Make sure you have a first-aid kit, medicine and prescription drugs on hand.
- Keep a ready supply of fresh drinking water on hand in bottles or containers.
- Keep a couple changes of clothes to change out of wet or damp clothing.
- Package some non-perishable, packaged or canned foods, manual can opener, plastic utensils.
- Know your local emergency contact numbers such as hospital, police and fire department.
Know the difference between a "tornado watch" and a "tornado warning"
- A "tornado watch" means conditions are right for severe weather formation and potentially tornadoes. If a "tornado watch" is issued, remain alert, stay tuned to your local weather and be ready to go to your shelter in the event of a warning.
- A "tornado warning" is issued when an actual tornado has been spotted or is visible through weather radar technology. If a "tornado warning" is issued, take your family and go to your shelter immediately.
