[Old fart]

OP pix post while I was working on previous post.

Do you have a partial basement or partially enclosed crawl space with the block?

Which direction is the house facing (which side is the exposed part of the crawl space)?

 

[InOmaha]

We have little problem with water table so my next house will be ICF ranch with a ramp to the lower level instead of stairs. Rebar from the base of the foundation to steel truss roof structure with a steel roof.

A full kitchen in the basement. Some hurricand glass and I'm not blowing to Kansas.

The highest winds we've had here are only 110 mph. Gusts tomorrow will be 50+. The stick frame house we bought seems to do okay below 110 or so. The trees around us not so much.

I did hurricane clip our rafters.

 

[SpringerXD]

Do you have a basement or is the water level an issue?

No basement. I wish I did, because that's exacttly where I would build it. As for the water level, I've tried looking it up online, but no luck. I think I need to make a few calls.

 

[SpringerXD]

Since you only need it for very short times, why not just dig a storm cellar like they used to (and add a few modern safety things)? Shovel-dug hole in the dirt under the house with an angled door and a latch inside. Keep wipes, TP, plastic bags, case of water, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, flashlight, weather radio with power output capability, batteries, axe, air horn, whistle, and a couple bottle jacks inside. Maybe an old cell phone (911 only capability). All fits in a milk crate.

Garden-type back-hoe with long-reach, you could do it in an afternoon (unless bedrock too close to the surface).

For those that don't know what 'm talking about, first part of Wizard of Oz.

My crawl space runs from about four feet at the entrance to about 1.5 feet at the other end. I've thought about this idea, but I would want it accessible from inside the house.

 

[SpringerXD]

Which direction is the house facing (which side is the exposed part of the crawl space)?

The worst possible direction: Southwest. The crawl space opening is on the Southeast end.

 

[Pabstman]

I'm very interested in the culvert idea, but with a slight twist. Rather than laying it horizontally, as most people do, I would love to find a piece that's 10-foot diameter by about nine or ten feet long, then pour a round concrete base and set it in vertically. I assume there are pre-made caps for these? If so, I could get a cap and cut an opening for the entrance and a smaller one for an air vent.

But so far I've had very little luck finding anything less than about 30 feet long for $10k or more.

If anything is going to be above ground i would pack dirt around it to stabilize it.

 

[Tracy1966]

Just spitballing, but what about a old van buried into a hillside? Maybe seal the seams with silicone or roll the whole thing with tar? 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

[SpringerXD]

If anything is going to be above ground i would pack dirt around it to stabilize it.

I'm pretty sold on being underground.

Mr. Miyagi in Karate Kid: "Father say, best way avoid hit, no be there."

 

[SpringerXD]

Just spitballing, but what about a old van buried into a hillside? Maybe seal the seams with silicone or roll the whole thing with tar? 🤷🏻‍♂️

This very thing was done by some people I knew growing up, using an old ambulance van (via Google Maps).

But I don't have a bank on my property, so that's not exactly an option.

Still, It's something I've considered. Bury a van body and install a ladder.

 

[Tracy1966]

???

 

[A.J.]

My property actually has a 1950's era nuclear fallout shelter on the property. It's simple 8' x 10" underground room accessible from a 12' deep shaft. Would I want to "ride the storm out" in this thing? No way! It's a death trap. There's only one narrow way in and out. One tree branch or debris would seal you in. Far better to ride things out in the basement of our house. It's almost as deep as the bunker, has a lot more room and more escape opportunities.

The cheapest route would be to simply dig a deep hole on your property with simple shovels. I'm thinking maybe 8' deep and a gently sloping 10' in diameter. If a tornado comes, simply jump into the hole. You're gonna get wet but will be adequately protected from the storm.

Just my 2 cents. I'm no survival genius, so take my advice with a grain of salt.

 

[Syncline]

A storm shelter isn't a bunker, it's the crudest sort of shelter, so it can be pretty crappy.
Used or surplus culvert might better suit your needs. It's frequently available at half cost or less, and 48" culvert works pretty well and is easy to ship.
Tinhorn, out of Tulsa is pretty good: "TINHORN CULVERT CORRUGATED METAL PIPE PLASTIC STEEL" bridge Culvert
They've got 13' sections of 48″ Polypro pipe for $2,145 .
If you order by the foot, he's got 48″ Plastic Culvert, (20 days to delivery) for $170 / linear ft and they regularly get in oddball stuff for cheap.
If you put in a request and ask them to email you, you may be surprised what turns up in a few weeks.

As for the ends, you may want to locate a 48" hollow plastic endwall and fill that with sand or cement, and you have a nice solid wall to attach a steel door and frame to. If you just want to enclose the other end, put a 4" vent through it and seal it with a concrete plug.

 

[Old fart]

My crawl space runs from about four feet at the entrance to about 1.5 feet at the other end. I've thought about this idea, but I would want it accessible from inside the house.

Trap door in the floor. Recess the handle and latch control on the house side. Cover with mat or lightweight rug. If carpeting in that part of the house, the right kind will camouflage it nicely.

Make sure you can get out via both the trap door and the regular access if you have to take shelter (axe to door, remove hinges, etc. if padlocked from the outside). Second latch on the trap door that's separate from the one controlled by the house-side one. One or two milk crates inside will make it easier for shorter occupants to get out if they want to go into the house instead of outside.

This is easy and cheap to do and gives you something until you can do something better. May also double for root cellar, etc.

 

[SpringerXD]

A storm shelter isn't a bunker, it's the crudest sort of shelter, so it can be pretty crappy.
Used or surplus culvert might better suit your needs. It's frequently available at half cost or less, and 48" culvert works pretty well and is easy to ship.
Tinhorn, out of Tulsa is pretty good: "TINHORN CULVERT CORRUGATED METAL PIPE PLASTIC STEEL" bridge Culvert
They've got 13' sections of 48″ Polypro pipe for $2,145 .
If you order by the foot, he's got 48″ Plastic Culvert, (20 days to delivery) for $170 / linear ft and they regularly get in oddball stuff for cheap.
If you put in a request and ask them to email you, you may be surprised what turns up in a few weeks.

As for the ends, you may want to locate a 48" hollow plastic endwall and fill that with sand or cement, and you have a nice solid wall to attach a steel door and frame to. If you just want to enclose the other end, put a 4" vent through it and seal it with a concrete plug.

Thanks. I might drop them a line about what I'm looking for. I have feeling that shipping from Oklahoma to Tennessee won't be cheap, though.

 

[SpringerXD]

Trap door in the floor.

That's something I might consider. I like the idea of it being accessible from inside the house.

 

[Offrink]

Is this a storm shelter that you will be spending hours in every time you have a storm or a tornado is on the way get in. I find that those are very different. It sounds like it’s something you want to spend some time in. If this was for emergency only a stack of buried tractor tires 8’ down will work. Even has built in shelves and ladder! crushed rock floor with a way to shovel out but there won’t a top so it will be easy to get out the top. A shelter you will spend a while in is definitely different and the cost goes way up.

 

[SpringerXD]

Is this a storm shelter that you will be spending hours in every time you have a storm or a tornado is on the way get in. I find that those are very different. It sounds like it’s something you want to spend some time in. If this was for emergency only a stack of buried tractor tires 8’ down will work. Even has built in shelves and ladder! crushed rock floor with a way to shovel out but there won’t a top so it will be easy to get out the top. A shelter you will spend a while in is definitely different and the cost goes way up.

Basically, I want something of decent quality and permanence, but cheap and relatively easy. I know. "Santa, I want it all." I don't really want to do the tire or earth bag thing, but I also don't need a "bunker" for long-term living. If I lived further South, I would go a little more elaborate, something for spending nights in as needed. When we have a real warning here, it's rare, but it's also a sick feeling to have nowhere to go at all.

All things considered, I would prefer steel over concrete and I really don't care for fiberglass. Under the house or inside it doesn't really appeal at all.

I'm probably looking harder at the dumpster/shipping container concept than anything else, although I know that both will require some serious work. The steel culvert idea also appeals to me, with work expected.

 

[44 Guy]

Basically, I want something of decent quality and permanence, but cheap and relatively easy.

Two things to think about:
1) Decent quality, cheap and easy seldom work out very well when you try and combine them together.
2) I'd never chance and / or bet my or my family's life on number one.

 

[SpringerXD]

Two things to think about:
1) Decent quality, cheap and easy seldom work out very well when you try and combine them together.
2) I'd never chance and / or bet my or my family's life on number one.

I agree. I think I can pretty much discard the "easy" concept -or- just bite the bullet and have a prefab shipped. I'm not afraid of putting in the work, because the quality is more important.

If we have one of the rare occasions where there's an actual warning, there are two things I don't want to find in the shelter:

1. Snakes
2. A swimming pool

 

[Syncline]

1) Decent quality, cheap and easy seldom work out very well when you try and combine them together.

My father had a similar sign in his shop that I found to be accurate. 'Fast, Cheap, Good. You get to pick two.'

I have feeling that shipping from Oklahoma to Tennessee won't be cheap, though.

Even on a multiple ship truckload, you may well be right. If that turns out to be an issue, I'd at least ask him if he has any competition closer to you that you might be able to afford.
Another option is Craigslist. Took me like two minutes to locate a seller in mid TN: Corrugated Metal Plastic Culvert Pipe - materials - by dealer - sale

If you do decide to go with culvert as your structure, remember that the end cap that is exposed needs a strong and tough door that will resist high velocity debris and that faces away from the likely approach direction. Facing northeast is usually a good idea. A vertical plastic endwall filled with concrete, with a steel door securely bolted to it is best. Don't just use a doorknob. You want a fitted crossbeam in U brackets that will resist the force/suction of a funnel cloud passing over.