Wind, my plan for being able to go in and stay there isn't because a tornado lasts a while, it's for when they have an all day or all night threat of tornadoes. As I said, Wednesday night was not fun at all because it was an all afternoon and night deal into Thursday afternoon, 24 hours of threats.

As for the debris issue, I would have a chainsaw that stays in there at all times with a door that opens inward, not outward. No need for a hydro jack that would pry the door open then. The other thing is you can install a second exit just in case.

Found a place in Oregon that makes what looks like a submarine but they want $75K for 1, 27x8x8 and sleeps 5, comes stocked. I could do my own for cheaper with more space.

Ummmmmmm..........Unless you planned on having two sets of doors...."outter door" that opened in and an "inner door" that opens out........as soon as the tornado hit......that door which opens in is gonna be wide open! Or were you planning on having an I-beam across that door to hold it closed???

just wonderin

Stan, the door would be fine with the plan I have, I didn't fully explain it. All tornadoes go towards the East at some point, I've yet to see one come from the East around here. Knowing that, my door would be to the East with the bunker to the West. My door would also not be standing up into the wind, it would be parallel to the ground just inches off the ground where the stairs would be that lead down which unless something drops right on it, it ain't going any place. That door would open in vs outward. At the bottom of the stairs, just in case water comes in would be a grate. Under that grate would be a water pump sitting in a hole with a float to kick on and pump any water out. This is where a 2nd door that opens inward would be in case the door above does give way. Again, I would have a 2nd exit installed just in case.

Nm, just stopped and thought again, first door with stairs CAN'T open inwards in that design, it would have to outward.

Omg! i dodged a bullet several times! the big F4 from tuscaloosa lifed off 3 miles from my house and set back down 3 miles on the other side!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i have debris all over my neighbourhood! That same tornado went on NE into north GA and TN when i dodged it going down the road on I40 not knowing it! it was withing a mile of me several times from the timeframe and damage paths!!

Ringgold, GA got hit. Exit 348 on I75 was closed as I came through a little while ago and I saw trees uprooted and guardrails missing on both sides of the eway. I didn't have much chance to look around because I was in traffic but I glanced to the east and saw roofs missing from a few fast food locations.

Hey Ford - I'm not joking when I say this. I've been thinking since 9/11 that someone could do very well for themselves building shelters. It sounds like you have a good job but between climate change causing more tornadoes, terrorists sooner or later getting their hands on nukes and climate change probably causing more reliance on nuclear energy (Japan might have throw a wrench into that one though), I think underground shelters/bomb shelters are a growth industry.

If I were about 120 years younger I'd consider specializing in building these. Solving the various problems would be fun. For instance, how to keep food and water in abundant supply and yet fresh. I happen to like trying to solve problems like that.

For yourself, wouldn't it be cheaper to just "harden" a corner of your basement (if you have a basement)? (with a special exit to outside of course)

But did you buy any lottery tickets??? That sounds like Grade A luck to me and maybe the well isn't dry yet. Remember to split it with your buddy from Michigan eh? :)

I'm glad you're ok One. :thumbsup:

FEAR sells well in America. Always a buck to be made.

Personally, I would rather see community survival shelters built with COMMUNITY money and gov't help (only if necessary,) perhaps NEAR fire stations and stocked with food/water and bedding for 50 - 75 people each.

Put a Pepsi (or Coke) machine at the entrance in exchange for CORPORATE funding of the shelters. And a cigarrette machine! No guns allowed except the one in the glass case inside (break glass in case of alien invasion.)

And who would know that better than somebody buyin what the Lefty Liberal wackos are selling EVERYDAY in the Gov't? It's what THEY DO! See obama, Chuck Shumer, Nancy Pelosi, Barney Frank, Barbara Boxer, Harry Reid, etc,. etc,. etc,. I'd put up a few video's but I'm not wasting anymore of my time.

Considering the rain that often comes with tornadoes, I sure hope you plan to include a "BILGE PUMP". I'd hate to find out that it sank on you.:lol:

Actually, I do understand the amount of time spent anticipating them. I've done it myself in the past. About 30 years ago, we had nearly 3 full days of tornado watches. We spent quite a bit of time in the basement, and discussed how we could make it more comfortable. That's up to the kids now. I signed it over to them when I came down here. I'm hoping I didn't trade a tornado in for a tsunami down here.