This option allows you to continue using your safe room every day and not just in an emergency.
CONCRETE SAFEROOM COSTS UPGRADE
Safe rooms must meet specific safety standards and be constructed according to federal laws, and they need to be able to withstand 250 mph winds and over 3,000 pounds of force, more than an EF-5 tornado.Īlternatively, you can upgrade a room such as an interior bathroom, bedroom, pantry, closet, or office to become your safe room. A safe room can be integrated into a new home design or most existing homes.Īccording to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) a safe room is defined as, “a structure that will provide near-absolute protection from severe storms.” While an in-ground shelter or tornado cellar is the safest place to be during a tornado, a residential safe room can offer similar protection for homes without a basement. Do you have a residential safe room for your loved ones to take shelter at a moment’s notice? New or Existing Home? You Have Options. They can occur at any time, any day, of any month, and that can be frightening for a family. While tornadoes are more common during late spring and early summer, that does not make them predictable. According to the Texas Almanac, an average of 132 tornadoes touch down each year. Texas has the highest average annual number of tornadoes in the United States. Contact your tribe’s housing authority and ask about storm shelter assistance.Shelter from Tornadoes in a Home Safe Room
CONCRETE SAFEROOM COSTS INSTALL
Most tribal nations in Oklahoma offer assistance for their homeowner tribal members who want to install a storm shelter. Homeowners in Oklahoma can receive significant discounts on insurance for re-roofing or building to this standard. The shelter and installation must comply with FEMA 320, FEMA 361, and ICC-500.Ĭ/residents/public-safety/storm-shelter-registration/įORTIFIED is a building method that goes beyond required building codes to strengthen buildings against high winds and hail. Winners receive a voucher that covers 75% of the cost of installing a shelter, up to $2,000. The State of Oklahoma offers a lottery program for rebates on storm shelters.
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Safe rooms built to FEMA guidelines are able to withstand winds of an EF-5 tornado, and occupants have a very high probability of being protected from injury. Make sure the shelter you purchase is built and installed according to FEMA 320, FEMA 361, and ICC-500, and that the company is fully insured. Find a reputable, trustworthy company to install your shelter.Choosing the best shelter for you depends on your specific needs, conditions, and budget. When considering the type of shelter you need, factor in accessibility, as in-ground shelters require the ability to move up and down stairs.
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There are multiple types of shelters available, including indoor above-ground concrete or steel safe rooms, underground garage shelters, and outdoor, in-ground storm shelters with either a flat or sloped top.
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It is a good idea to register your storm shelter with the City of Tulsa to help first responders locate your shelter when responding to a severe storm. The SBA can also increase the approved disaster loan by up to 20 percent to cover the cost of adding a safe room. Homeowners who receive a disaster assistance loan from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to repair or rebuild a damaged or destroyed home may use some of the loan proceeds to construct a safe room. If you need financing, many local credit unions offer storm shelter loans to members, and the FHA offers safe room financing. This lottery program requires compliance with FEMA guidelines for construction and installation.
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The State of Oklahoma’s Sooner Safe program (see right) offers a 75% rebate of up to $2,000 toward the purchase and installation of a shelter. Generally, you can expect to pay from $2,500 to $8,000 or more. Storm shelter costs vary depending on a number of factors, including the size and type you select. Shelters and safe rooms built to FEMA guidelines are likely to withstand extreme winds without failing. Having easy access to a storm shelter or safe room is the best way to keep yourself and your family safe. Tornadoes are a fact of life in Oklahoma, and though tornadoes typically occur in the spring and summer months, they can occur at any time of year.