Wow--of all the things I could have guessed, this wouldn't have been on the list. But good for you!

Now WHERE exactly do you live??? In a couple of years we will be moving on to a new adventure and I am not sure yet if tornados are on my list of must sees!

We couldn't even get ON this guy's list last year because there has been such a building boom here. They do a lot of work putting in shelters for contractors building new homes, so obviously those people get preference on the schedule. But earlier this year at a home show, we said, "Just please put us on the list for this year--doesn't matter when!"

In May, he called to say he'd get to us in July. Then Monday of this week, he called and said he could do it this week. This has been a record year for tornados in Oklahoma, so we are thrilled! It will be 8x12, concrete poured on site, and level (as opposed to those that "hump up" from ground level).

I guess this is like a fire extinguisher, you want one handy but hope you never have to use it.

I sincerely hope you never have to use it.

Linda

I'm glad you finally got it Rita. You can use it for storage too, until it's needed for shelter. I hope you don't have to use it either. But having a basement was one of the points I wanted when I moved into this home.
Leslie

Fire extinguisher, yes! And insurance! :-)

Leslie,most people don't do basements around here, and I can count on one hand the people I know who have a basement that doesn't leak. :-(

Rita, I'll bet that gives you a better feeling of security. What a relief to know there's somewhere to go if it is ever needed.

Linda

Gosh, and I was hoping for a picture of a puppy. If it makes you feel safer,that's wonderful!

You are wise to do this. I would be afraid to live in a tornado area without a storm cellar. Let's hope you never need it!

Lucky you.

My sis tried to have one put in the garage, there was a permit problem (no one got it) so it's still up in the air.

Love your house.

YEAH ! a safe haven at last. I pray you never have to use it. Now just how does one decorate a storm cellar, porta potty would be high on my list.

Sue

Having lived in OKC for sometime, I know the value of a storm cellar..Congrats.

That is fantastic wish I had one. My Friend who lives around Ft Smith Ark has one they and some others share in the motor home park they live in. It can be a real comfort and protection Good for you!!

After that horrible tornado in Okla. in May of 1999, they couldn't put storm cellars in fast enough. I'm glad you are getting one. They are great for peace of mind. We had one when we lived in Enid and you know, I wasn't really afraid of tornados because I knew I had shelter. When we moved down here to NE Texas where almost no one has a cellar (or basement), I'm much more nervous about that eerie green sky. Enjoy your new hidey-hole...hope you only need it for storage!

A funny: I went down in our cellar to clean the cobwebs before storm season. I found a BUNCH of popsicle sticks my boys had poked down the vent when they were through with the goody! So you never know what you'll find in there. lol

OK, that sure brings back memories. When I was a kid my cousins had a storm cellar in their back yard. When all the family would get together all the kids would play house in the cellar and we had so much fun.

Jen, you made me smile. My DH always called them 'scare- holes'. Kinda like a hidey-hole. I hate those green/mean skies too.
Rita, I know there aren't many basements there, but you'll have much more peace of mind knowing you have a place to go, should you need to.
Leslie

Very good. This will certainly give you some peace of mind.

As a Californian, I'm curious about this. How is it finished inside, block walls? Then how do you get in, what's on top to let you in? Can you use it for storage otherwise? How big?

No one has those here in CA, and very few homes have basements. We just need something to hold the ground STILL! Or to keep the state from burning down.

Socks,

The walls are concrete, so it isn't really 'finished' with anything. Oh, I suppose you could, but we won't. Many old storm cellars used to have dirt floors...both of the ones at my folks' farm are that way. There is a door on top and steps leading down into it. (see link)

And yes, it is common to store vegetables down there after harvesting in summer because it stays cool. Ours will also have an electrical box for a radio, light, whatever...

Here is a link that might be useful: {{!gwi}}

Have you checked to see if your cell phones work from down there and be sure to get some battery operated charges for the phone and radio. that's pretty neat..

That is an interesting picture. When I moved here from CA, a basement was a "must have" for me. I don't even care that mine leaks a little every couple of years when we get lots of rain. My cell phone doesn't work in my basement.

What a great invention and I pray you never have to use it...I've never seen one before.

is that your house beside the storm shelter?It is so so beautiful!!!!Is it a log home?That is one beautiful home!!!
Before I got married my dad always made sure we had a storm shelter.We had one at the first home we lived in,than when we moved to our new home,before I and Greg married,dad built another one .But now we use a basement.I guess they are safe too!We are very scare of bad weather!We have been very blessed that no bad bad weather has hit our home since we married ,but came very close.thanks for sharing this.

Rita - How will your decorate your new room? Is there a place on the wall for the John Wayne portrait in that there storm cellar?

And some chairs and a port-a-pot - what else will you need?

Oh, how cool! We call 'em "fraidy-holes" around here. We don't have one, but we have a crawl space we could use if we had to.

Very cool! I think that is a great investment. Are they expensive? I mean to save a life, so worth it, but I imagine pretty pricey or are they affordable that most people can invest in them: Where do you live?

Here is a link that might be useful: I was loved by you, our families commitment to our autistic son

okwriter... thanks for the explanationa and picture. Very interesting. I agree with Catlady, your home looks beautiful.