TORNADOES In the Ozark's...How WE Prepare!

[@sydney4911]

A coupe of additional things you might want to add to your buckets/bunker: a loud whistle that you can blow to alert people on the outside if something should blow over your door. A lot easier to blow a whistle the yell or scream and it takes up little to no real room in a bucket. Grab some of those lap type blankets that Walmart sells that are fairly cheap. You can cram a bunch of those into a bucket and it saves on having to bring blankets with you if you have to move fast. Have a couple of pool noodles cut up into 1 to 2 foot lengths. These make great little pillows to lean your head against the walls or for use to lie down on the floor. Easy to store in a corner. Store some old towels in the shelter, enough for each person and a couple of extras. Good for drying yourselves off if you've had to run through rain to get into the shelter. Getting dry is important as your nerves are going to take over and it will cut down on shivering or getting your blankets wet when you want to wrap up in them to get warm.

[@filmjazz]

A second, small exit would also help. It could be as simple as an escape hatch with a ladder leading up to it.

[@WhiteFox011]

All great additions to the video.

[@davidhuett3579]

..and if you're going to buy a whistle .. get some ear plugs while you're at it. If you have to use the whistle while you're in there .. it will be deafening!!!

[@hollywahlstrom-creativestudio]

@@WhiteFox011 the first thing I thought of while watching your terrific video was a first aid kit with additional basics like aspirin or painkiller. My son's home was hit with zero warning and they lost the home but they were safe, and the reason I mention the first aid kit is he said debris was everywhere and winds were still a mess with hail and rain. And in your grab bag to go be sure you have your medications.

[@noclu4u384]

One improvement in would suggest is making the door in a manner that if a heavy object like a car lands on top that you can still get out . 4 large steel poles about four feet tall would work i think . Sink the poles about 6 feet in in the ground in concrete . I've seen people get trapped from a car on top of the shelter door .

[@Drbethturtlewoman]

We designed our storm shelter to have the door to open inward. If you have something heavy land on your door you could get trapped. I also recommend using cat litter for the toilet.

[@ordinarypete]

What’s the highest chances; something heavy trapping you in or something blowing your inward opening doors in?

[@Drbethturtlewoman]

@@ordinarypete not sure

[@dereksuddreth8672]

@@Drbethturtlewoman: Removing the closest trees in the shelter's proximity will reduce the chances of trees or limbs blocking the door (inward or outward).

[@Gixxer983]

@@ordinarypete Every garage shelter is prone to getting stuck in it. The best design is with the normal walk in doors.

[@rossarmstrong1053]

More likely than not, someone would be there soon afterwards to help if a door does happen to get blocked either way.

[@websurfin9575]

What a great man! He really takes good care of his family!!

[@tamararoberts9307]

Yes!

[@frznrrfan.frznrrfan102]

Hard to believe that there still out there.😂

[@cherylross5322]

I forwarded this video to friends that live in TN. They told me that one of the things that everyone there that has a shelter has to do is to register with the city or state (?) so that they can be checked on after a disaster. If your state doesn't have such a thing, maybe you could suggest it. They might take the idea seriously after these terrible storms!

[@khm2128]

Hi @cherylross5322. Great idea. Personally, I'd prefer to network with my neighbors for that check list.

[@gingerproject888network6]

Registering anything with government is asking for invasion of privacy. Already they want people with gardens to register them. Food control? So I prefer dealing with my neighbors & friends instead.

[@LK-bz9sk]

@@gingerproject888network6Good point. I intend it to be a safe room to if there are social shenanigans and unrest. Lived in South Africa and seen what social unrest can do.

[@TheRobsummer]

Great advice. I’m finishing a bachelor's degree in Emergency and disaster management. I highly recommend you give the grid coordinates for your shelter to the local fire department. If a strong tornado comes through, no one will be able to tell where anything was before. Additionally, your shelter may be covered with debris. Thanks for sharing.

[@morningdove3140]

Rob Summerville that's my biggest fear is to get trapped in one them. I have claustrophobia real bad.. My sister has one that's above ground with dirt built up around three sides and the door swings into the shelter. I can handle going in hers.

[@betsysmith9023]

We have a solid iron hammer and a tire iron by our shelter door to help us breakout if needed. Ear plugs are a necessity from the sound and the pull of the wind can rupture the membrane..

[@patrickeh696]

Hope your degree covers NOT having a shelter with a door opening UP. LOL

[@TheRobsummer]

@@patrickeh696 I completely agree that shelters with doors opening outward (above ground shelters) or up (in-ground shelters) are not the best idea. However, there are steps to mitigate the dangers of debris preventing your escape. One way is to keep a jacking system (jack and blocks) or a cutting capability depending on your exact shelter. Our shelter, which was here when we bought the property, is above ground, but the door opens outward into the shop. The rest of the shelter is outside the shop, but covered by a dirt mound. We have both a jacking system and a cutting system to help get us out. The primary recommendation is a communications plan with neighbors, friends or family. We call my parents anytime we are getting in the shelter. If they don't hear from us within 30 minutes after the storm passes, they will call for help.

[@patrickeh696]

I've seen two sets of people drown in below ground shelters that open up. No need to mitigate if you don't make the mistake in the first place. @@TheRobsummer

[@carlasmith2105]

When my husband and I visited an underground bomb shelter in Germany a few years ago we were impressed that they painted all of the walls with a phosphorescent paint. They glowed and made it much safer to navigate in them.

[@Motoko_Urashima]

Wouldn't that be radioactive?

[@untodesu]

​​@@Motoko_Urashima there are paints that just take energy from outside and slowly emit it afterwards

[@allanmcelroy9840]

Cool...sounds like glow in dark?

[@richa.s9912]

Glow-in-dark paint will activate by flashlight and car headlights and paint have illuminating fluorescent reflective paint will light up by black light or ordinary LED lights flashlight and car headlights.

[@LK-bz9sk]

@@Motoko_UrashimaFrom WW2 era almost definitely radioactive….not sure if modern coatings like this are available w out the radioactivity

[@wendymadison4097]

We used our FoodSaver and vacuum packed a towel and change of clothes for each of us to keep in our cellar. Nice to know that if it's raining when we head to the shelter or if one of us falls in a mud puddle, we have clean dry clothes available. Once vacuum packed, they take up very little room and will stay completely dry and bug-free.

[@carasmussen27]

what a great idea. I am going to do that

[@sydney4911]

You can also use 3-M hooks on the wall - 1 for each family member and those cheap cloth store bags they sell to put each persons clothes in.

[@Stevenet1]

Very good ideas. Thank you!

[@LongBinh70]

Might help to throw a dessicant tab in the bag before sealing. There may already be moisture in the clothes you are sealing.

[@gingernotturno5365]

also put a dryer sheet in there with the cloths and when you take them out won't smell musty if they were in there a while

[@kedeglow2743]

Midwest Storm Shelters did our Tornado shelter 4 years ago, and it's been great! No leaks, no problems. We've used it numerous times and I feel much safer for having it. Our neighborhood is pretty close,...whenever there is any kind of problem everyone converges and we all check on each other. We especially watch over our elderly neighbors. We're very Blessed to live where we do.

[@bebepoppy1604]

You have a good handle on what you need in case of an emergency. I would like to make a couple of suggestions. This comes from good friends who went through a tornado. They sheltered in their basement, in a bathtub in the bathroom. Their house was destroyed. Luckily the ceiling over them held. They only had bare feet and sandals on. But right next to the bathroom was winter storage. They were able to put winter boots on, grab jackets and leather gloves. This was important because their whole neighborhood was broken glass, wood splinters and insulation. So I would suggest putting some sort of boots, jackets and gloves in your shelter. Thanks!

[@DMAneoth]

For the toilet: instead of the wood shavings (or maybe in addition to) I would recommend having a dozen plastic trash bags to put inside the buckets with a bit of the top of the bag overlapping outside, then seal the lid on over the bag, securing it. You poop or tinkle into the bag in the bucket and the bag is easy to remove when full and you still have an empty clean bucket with another bag. They take up VERY little room and have so many other uses. Maybe have different sized bags for different needs. Also at least one wool blanket for each person.

[@richa.s9912]

I wouldn't use a wool blanket to pee on or wipe my butts .

[@davidgomez5116]

I'd recommend alot of (5 gallon buckets) at least one empty and one full with clay based scented kitty litter. It's safe for the environment to dump the kitty litter after the natural disaster is over. Some storms can last up to 2 weeks. But usually the bad stuff is only 2 to 4 days tops.

[@vandjsecret]

We live in Pueryo Rico and last year we were hit by hurricane Maria a #4-5 winds of 200mph. Our house is concrete but we were out of electriciry for three months it was awfull. We have s gas stove and make dinner an lunch with it. But niw we are more prepared with a gas plant gor the fridge and at least two fans. We were very humble wirh this experience even we went to a river to clean our cloths and we cry a lot on those months, no cell phone no tv norhing to communicate but we were ok in comoarison to tbe 3k plus death. So be prepare always.

[@jennyanimal9046]

I'm glad your ok. I'm from California we deal with fires and earthquakes. I cant imagine having to go through Hurricanes and tornadoes. That's so scary. At least in tornado areas you can sleep in a basement. But with hurricanes you get flooded. Seems theres no where safe. I'm always praying for you all! Hurricane season is approaching. My prayers will be with you and your family.

[@cherisharmendariz]

@@jennyanimal9046 I'm a former Californian and I hated the earthquakes. Now I live in NE Georgia and we have bad weather sometimes but it has never really prompted us to have to worry. Usually by the time the storm comes it is pretty uneventful (knock on wood). It's the random ice storms that kick us hard. Once, we went without power for 2 days. That was bad, we ended up putting our perishables outside in the cold. Thank God we had a fireplace. Stay safe!

[@jennyanimal9046]

@@cherisharmendariz thank you. I'll be keeping you in my prayers as hurricane season is approaching. Stay safe.🙂

[@OldTimerGarden]

I remember you saying your neighbors would check on you but just in case they don't, having a two way radio to call for help would be a nice back up.

[@MeandmyLife24]

YES YES YES

[@jillibeens57]

Don't forget medications. I went through 5 hurricanes before moving out of Florida and during the 'season' don't forget any essential medications too.

[@bsoutdooradventures9541]

Great to see such video on Weather preparations. I have worked many many disasters especially tornadoes. If unable to get to the shelter or in RV , or mobile home and do not seek safer shelter, I recommend each family members have a fully enclosed motorcycle help. After over 200 medical injury intakes, the first to go is your eyesight from debris and sight compromised. Second is blunt force trauma to the head, the scalp perfusion is unreal and or knocked unconscious . Third facial and neck vessel laceration. You have higher protection to a degree with the motorcycle helmet. Interesting the motorcycle helmet protect from asphyxiation up nose and mouth debris being slammed into airway passages. Also victim accounted the air that was sucked out of the,. Small air pocket with helmets helps. A bike cycle helmet blows off. If I can save one life with this info or bring light to the detrimental effects of a tornado, I will preach. Thanks for the video. Capt. B

[@shannoncraig2147]

I have thought about motor cycle helmets. I live in a mobile home & if I didn’t have time to get in my car & leave, a motorcycle helmet would be good, to keep beside my bed & then get on the floor & pull the mattress on top of me.

[@galeparker1067]

@@shannoncraig2147 And like somebody mentioned, a WHISTLE would be very useful in case you needed help being found..... 👃✌️🥰🇨🇦

[@tiffanyspence6531]

Wonderful suggestions!!! Thank you!!!!

[@foundingfatherstoday]

No one wants to think about it but fem products and hand sanitizer may be a good idea to add to the basics... great video!! Thanks😊

[@masuganut2082]

Kate McWaters exactly cuz that’s something we females really do not wanna do without. 👍

[@Iflie]

Haha, yeah that's what I was thinking too, with three females in there it's not a luxury to have those on hand. Not something many men think about.

[@dhoward5757]

Oh you kids... heaven on earth when those days are over ✔. Just pump the magnesium, soak in epsom salt and life changes beautifully🌤

[@listay1]

@@dhoward5757 if only magnesium helped everyone...

[@deniseflores4116]

Not sure the ages of your children,but you cant go wrong having glow sticks for their entertainment and it makes them feel safe and they love it...

[@sarahlynn7894]

Great information! I’d totally paint the walls, paint a beach like setting in one of the walls, and place artificial turf on the ground where it gives an illusion that you’re on a beach. Something to calm your nerves, especially for kids. You can make it any theme you want. Just an idea.

[@rockinghorselivestock2491]

Suggest you get a dry bag to put important papers in, birth certificates, passport, wallet, purse, will, medications etc. If tornado takes your house all the aforementioned may go with it.

[@debbiealtman4572]

Yes I agree. Or get a fire box you can grab.

[@natalienicolaou1]

I use a extra large zip lock bag to keep all the important papers dry.

[@Beecozz7]

Scan photos of them onto a zip drive! Originals in a safe. Bolt a safe to a concrete foundation with originals.

[@MVIsland]

You are 100% correct.....smart rancher Mike!

[@rockinghorselivestock2491]

@@MVIsland thank you. Not so smart maybe. Just lived for quite a while in hurricane land. Had to plan for minimum 10 day outages and potential devastation measured in many square miles.

[@mawest4775]

I lived in the Dakotas most of my childhood. We always had a storm cellar/root cellar in the yard. Saved our lives twice.

[@coffeebean41]

Great video! Unfortunately, we Missourian know all too well about tornado season. First aid kits, sanitizer and weather radios are a must! For those with pets, make sure to also have food for them as well. Nice shelter!! Thanks for sharing a peek inside with us!

[@dannyriveracruz5978]

Great video. My family is moving to the Ozarks as my retirement home into a small five acre farm. The first thing we getting is a storm shelter. Thanks for the great info.

[@richa.s9912]

Home Depot's hardware store in Arkansas and Missouri and Kansas and Texas will have tornadoes shelters to sell or will advertising metal and concrete tornadoes shelters . Lowe's home improvement and Walmart Supercenter stores may also have tornadoes shelters to sell.

[@sunnycharacter]

I would also include peroxide, alcohol, neosporin and instant cold and hot compresses. In case someone gets a bump on the head on the way down there. They don’t take up much room.

[@deneseweatherby8667]

I'm old and I'd love to have a shelter. I'd put a bed in mine so when a warning goes out I could sleep the night or day.

[@wknfriends4138]

Yes, here in West Central Wi we rarely have a Tornado, Some years back, the weather turned bad in the am, Husband was at work. I had the tv local station on, said the conditions made a tornado a possibility. I keep a full size bed in the room our Son remodeled, in our Basement. Center of the house there, then. Reinforced walls and ceiling. I took our dog and a phone and went down stairs then. lol I fell asleep, it was so dark and peaceful, I fell slept hard and with out any care. 2 hours or so later? A small tornado entered our city from the SW, skipped over the small islands around the Mississippi to our west. The river is only 8 blocks from where I live. For a rated F1 Tornado? It dropped down and tore up the family home on the island, then came across our small city and created alot of damage to Pepsi store houses, Lumber Company, many homes along its route, before it lifted and just disappeared. I was shocked when I came up from the basement and watched the coverage on the tv. I told my Husband when he called I had slept right thru it. My Brother has a home on the family property on the Island where I grew up. After a house fire in 71 he bought the property from our Dad, he built a beautiful home there, the Tornado ripped off the pillars and the roof over the front entrance. The Garage, which sat lower than the house, a 4 car one, he had two collectors cars in it, one was the Road Runner he owned when he and his wife were first married back in the middle? 60's.(Mint original condition) The entire Garage was levelled both vehicles in it destroyed. Thank God no one on that Island was harmed at all. That house, and property were/are, only two blocks away from the Mississippi River. But my Home is close to where the three rivers meet, and legend says a Tornado will not form or cross that area. I live in La Crosse, Wi.

[@kathysiebert6654]

I put a futon in mine

[@patriciaowens3479]

I guess if you really wanted to you could sleep in those chairs you have as long as you had a blanket with you perhaps.

[@AfterTheRains]

I’m not keen on all the “you should” comments because you are a family with brains. You obviously took the weather situation seriously enough by making the shelter a priority when you just arrived there. I’m sure, since you have already used the shelter a number of times, you have acknowledged a need for something additional and amended your procedures.

[@quill1260]

Brilliant. You are a man that takes exceptional care of your family.

[@Maxid1]

You can get a 20-25 ton house jack for very little money in case something falls on the storm shelter door. That and a few 4x4's long enough to reach from the jack to the door and some shim wood to put under the jack as you force the door open will just about cover the problem of getting trapped down there. That way you can get out to help your neighbor in case they got stuck in their shelter...

[@WinkTartanBelle]

More modern shelters often have the door opening INTO the shelter. Some have ballistic glass in the door. Cell phones work from inside the shelter, as do radios. Some older shelters can be upgraded. It might be worth checking on that. My hubs sells storm shelters and safe rooms in Texas, so I've seen what can be done and what is new. Having been in two tornadoes myself, I can testify how important it is to have everything ready so all you have to do is run into the shelter. No time for grabbing anything but family members to get to safety unless you get in there and hunker down when the warnings are issued.

[@Praise___YaH]

I know this is off topic but my best friend shared this with me and I just have to share... FIRST, The Messiah is of Bethlehem, NOT Nazareth and here's why that matters... This "jesus" of Nazareth, the NAZARENE, NOT Bethlehem, was NOT The Messiah, he is NOT Who they Crucified for the sins of man. There is no such "jesus of Bethlehem"... In Revelation 22:16, this jesus tells you HIMSELF that he is the "son of David", not YaH (God) and Mary and that he is the MORNING STAR... "and you shall call His Name Immanuel (with us is God)" NOT (with us is God's son) and this "jesus" is NOT YaH The Heavenly Father... Here is the REAL Messiah, Who they REALLY Crucified for the sins of man Yad He Vav He is what Moses wrote (Dead Sea Scrolls Exodus 3), not "I Am" OR "God" Yad = Hand He = Breath Vav = Nail He = Breath Yad He, which forms The Creators Name YaH, (Hand Breath), as YaH's Hand Forms/Creates and His Breath brings forth life (Adam) Vav He (Nail Breath), YaH's Sacrifice of Crucifixion, for those who call YaH Savior, His Breath brings forth life That's what YaH's Name means... LIFE YaH arrives via the Tent of Meeting (Exodus 33:7:11), the exact same way YaH arrived to Joseph NOT through childbirth. YaH was NOT Crucified on a "cross", but according to Hebrew law (Deuteronomy 21), to be nailed on an Almond Tree for blasphemy as the Messiah claimed He was YaH. He was YaH, NOT this "jesus" HalleluYaH means "Praise YaH", that's what HalleluYaH means, NOT Hallelujesus... When you pray, pray to YaH, call out His Infallible, Holy and Sacred Name. There's your Savior

[@paulabrunner2280]

I wss thinking the same thing!

[@ardenpeters4386]

never would have thought of this. but then i live in earthquake area!

[@WinkTartanBelle]

@The Pervy Prepper No. Both my brothers, Len and DeWayne, are deceased.

[@tatonkatatonka]

Thanks for your video You did a great job You have a nice way of presenting yourself Hope you don’t have to ever really have to use it Stay Safe Lord Bless you and your family

[@RIODJENIRO1]

great ideas. I would prepare "GO BAGS" for each family member. A backpack for everyone sitting with your other items to grab and go. Living in Florida during hurricane season I have one with important documents, extra clothes I roll up military style and placed in freezer bags, including socks and panties, travel size toiletries including dry shampoo, soap, hand sanitizer, lotion and personal wipes. pocket size folding brush with hair ties and clips, hat that folds, extra medicine and medical needs, pens small note book and a couple of puzzle books, even an extra pair of shoes and of course some cash and a credit card. I change everything after the season is over and just repack a month before the season starts again.

[@patriciaowens3479]

I would think it disposable toothbrushes and some bottled water and cups so that you can just brush teeth as well..

[@RIODJENIRO1]

@@patriciaowens3479 YES, I have that in my bag too, just didn't list it...

[@dorenenagy564]

I have seen a lot of those going in lately. What a safe place. Now I see why. Our threat here is flooding. We do have tornado warnings ever so often, but none has ever gotten in the holler. I'm in the Appalachian Mountains of WV. I'm so glad you have your safe storm cellar.

[@rosebud6485]

I was in an F3 tornado while in my mobile home, in Gadsden, Alabama in December of 2000. I had become complacent because it always blew over. Normally we went to a friends house if there was a warning, but that day I was alone because my husband took our boys Christmas shopping for me. I saw it coming about a quarter mile away. You could see lots of debris swirling around. We lived right on a river and no storm shelter. I was hit head on and will never forget the trailer being picked up and I was being thrown around and things kept slamming into my body. I was thrown about 100 feet and I knew immediately my arm was broken and I was cut and bruised all over. We lost everything. I hurt my back and ended up with a big back surgery. I just thank God my sons weren’t there. Long story short, be prepared and never stay in a mobile home. Not only was my home destroyed but it flattened and swept away brick homes. Take warnings seriously and be prepared!! 🌪

[@cindykq8086]

Thank God you survived

[@gatorweis2196]

That's why we lost so many in the Joplin tornado. Everyone had gotten complacent...plus there were no sirens at first (started in my backyard). Take every warning seriously and ALWAYS have a BOB ready! One lesson I learned was that cars are almost always accessible even if destroyed a few blocks away. I keep BOB in car, bk seat folded down, on the floor with seatbelt through handles. It's seriously wedged in so even if a direct hit my BOB is probably still there and in tact. All I have to do is locate car lol.

[@ml2782]

Cool story, someone might believe it

[@bornajesusfreak]

😔🙏🏼😔

[@Filmpilot]

Becky Cook I remember that one and Cullman.

[@andreasmith3018]

We live in an old trailer from the 60s and are poor. So we just pray when a store comes that we live through it because we have a few a year in our area.

[@pjcat3522]

Do you have transport to get away if a warning has been issued? Or a neighbour that can help?

[@andreasmith3018]

@@pjcat3522 No. there isn’t anyone out here. Most people live in trailers and not a single person has a shelter. Unfortunately we have lived here so long now drugs have taken over so we just stay to ourselves. If I had the money I would move mom and I to a better place. Kinda stuck with our property paid for just have to pay taxes and EXTREMELY High electricity bills. Can’t do anything about that either. We live in a co-op. You just have to be thankful for what you do have and try not to worry about what you don’t have.

[@jeffkardosjr.3825]

Have you considered chaining the trailer to blocks in the ground? Might help with some smaller storms.

[@andreasmith3018]

@@jeffkardosjr.3825 I didn’t know you had a channel. I just subscribed.

[@jeffkardosjr.3825]

@@andreasmith3018 Thanks.

[@gardenlady1293]

Once you go through one tornado you never forget it. We went through Andrew when we lived in Florida. Nothing like being in a house when the roof comes off. Unforgettable... So glad you have shelter.

[@ghost-ez2zn]

I was there for that too! But in an older house built in the 40s. Back then they knew how to build houses! The crappy crap built from the 70s on didn't hold up too well.

[@maggiemay5510]

Went thru that as well ...

[@AbleGoodman]

Nice storm cellar! When I was about 5 (I'm 76 now), I was staying at my paternal grandparents house in Jamestown, Kansas (tornado country), we had to go down into the storm cellar (which was actually a root cellar). We had an oil lantern for light. You could hear the wind, and the door rattled a bit, but we were all safe. The root cellar was old fashioned, covered with a pile of dirt with lawn growing all over it for strength. full of home-canned fruits and veggies, and we sat on folding chairs and listened to the radio. We were able to come out after a couple of hours. But it was an exciting adventure for a little kid! Your shelter is MUCH stronger.

[@jeffreyharville1918]

well thought out, but I would add one set of items, that is a 5 or 10 ton bottle jack with wooden wedges and blocks. to help you pry open the door if it is blocked, and maybe a crowbar or something to cut the metal would be an idea

[@txladywolf01]

Add walk-in talkie/ portable CB hand held radios!! Just a thought

[@jeannecooke4862]

Wow...if only more people would be prepared as you are...! God Bless! Hope you will always be aok!

[@southernreign1]

CB radio and GMRS radios should be in all shelters. Good to communicate with nearby neighbors if you install antenna outside of shelter. It will reach several hundred feet even without external antenna.

[@PlainJane48]

Headlamps and a Bible would be good things to have in there.

[@skinnypeterballs8936]

You can use the bible pages to wipe ur ass when u run out of teepee lol

[@rockymountainman7]

You don't show much confidence in this shelter if you think you need a bible down there... I would advise to have a pack of baby whipes down there because when chased by the tornader you might have crapped your pants before you even get down there...

[@ianjames1179]

I've been rolling spliffs from bible pages for years. Its called Holy shit.

[@jamesc949]

A bible is a great thing to have.

[@trailerparksupervisor7046]

I would prefer a mystery novel to the bible, more entertaining to read.

[@sheriewirgau9906]

Good plan to have someone check on you after a storm. We had an F4 tornado hit our house and a tree did fall on the storm shelter. Fortunately we were not there. Nothing left of the house except the foundation.

[@farmerthatflies]

I am in western Kentucky and after the tornadoes a couple weeks ago I can tell you beyond any shadow of a doubt that tornadoes are Equal Opportunity Destroyers. Since then I have seen many miles of destroyed homes and buildings and can say for a fact that being underground is really the only safe place. All the suggestions here have been good ones but the most important one I can think of is to make CERTAIN that someone comes looking for you afterwards. Buildings, cars, trees, you name it can be thrown literally miles from where they’re supposed to be and could easily block the only way out of a shelter. The suggestion of steel posts around the door is probably the best one I read here

[@khm2128]

@farmerthatflies, there was a great recommendation for sharing GPS coordinates for location purposes.

[@Constitutionalapologist]

Every wednesday at twelve o'clock noon the tornado siren would go off. Crawl under your desk kids. That was part of my childhood growing up in Conway, Arkansas. Looking back, I wouldn't change it for the world. God bless you guys and keep up the Good work.

[@jtsdeals]

Always enjoy your sense of humor when you talk about the not so fun to talk about subjects. Nice preps.

[@marlenekutcher938]

Great to have a plan. At work we are provided with a health and safety course. In your safety kit I would recommend having some slings. Great for splints, or sprains, wrapping pressure bandages. Easy to make. Thanks for this information.

[@gingerreid8569]

We bought our homestead less than a yr ago and yes, we are in tornado alley as well...we have a mobile home so that is even more important to have a storm shelter to get into. We just got ours installed about 3 weeks ago...best investment and peace of mind! Haven't outfitted it yet but will be hitting up dollar store for simple things to be stored in the 5 gallon buckets...Watched an earlier video on your shelter and have seen that yes, it is staying about 54 degs and plan to use it dual purpose for root cellar...Love your videos to help us newbies learn and think of things that we could have missed! Thank you for all you do!

[@carlabarnes6255]

I recommend a pair of hard sold shoes for each family member to put on after a tornado..nails and broken glass can travel miles before being thrown free of the tornado and you might not see them when you step around piles of debree...

[@marypalmer2088]

Great job! My sister lives in Rolla, MO and we've visited a couple times from Maine and we've been rushed to the basement when those sirens blast off. We had visited one year when Joplin was hit bad and just seeing the damage on our way from the airport was scary. My heart just wept for the people. Keep safe and thanks for this video, it may help a lot of people with some ideas.

[@cindybonem494]

Put a cookie sheet or wood cutting board under the water bottles to stop any possible leaching from the cement.

[@p.l.larose3851]

You got everything covered . . . . except . . . hand sanitation. Disinfectant wipes (or similar) for after-toilet use. Thankfully, we do not live in a tornado area. But . . we traditionally get a LOT of snow in winter. Great video !!!

[@cathiwim]

I'm a Believer it will pay to have the capacity for self reliance for 2-3 weeks, if theres a bad power outage. Our electrical grid in this country is very fragile.

[@notyourfriend5899]

I have friend who has a shelter that is a little bigger than your. They actually had bunk beds and shelves built in. They’ve stocked it with everything that they’ll need for a month. And a container with toiletries. Toilet paper, tampons, pads, diapers, hand sanitizers, wipes, basic medications and first aid kits. They had dog food and doggie pads and dog toys. They put all their clothes in vacuum bags and stored everything in containers they could stack. They go and change out stuff every six months since kids get older and bigger. They also have all the radios and batteries and flash lights needed. They have sent all important paper work to their parents just Incase. Anyway they have a whole lot of stuff that we don’t think about having or preparing for. It’s pretty crazy.

[@michaeldelaney7271]

It seems like you have made really sensible preparations for your family. Well done.

[@maggiemay5510]

You can line the potty buckets with a heavy plastic trash bag. When done using, just tie it off and put in another clean one. That's what we use.

[@bethpickthorn1568]

Stay safe Kevin, Sarah and girls! Glad to see you're prepared for tornadoes! Hope we have a mild storm season this year!

[@ke4asc]

I would recommend purchasing a set or two of Family Radio service radios, those Do Not require a license to use, and many are made to use rechargeable batteries. They may be handy during or following an event. Just a thought.

[@markrodrigue6913]

This is a Very Smart Man!! If I had the resources, I would do the same in a blink of a eye

[@lauraslls21]

Suggest a 3 side metall fence(bars) arround the entrance to prevent a falling tree/ log block the exit

[@barrylitchfield250]

Kevin, don't be too concerned about your county being left out of "actual", on the ground Tornados. Just be patient.... Tornados are "EQUIL OPPORTUNITY DISASTERS". Eventually your opportunity will come. It's great that you have your storm shelter in place, and your plan in place. You're WAY better prepared than most people. Kudos to you for that.

[@gingerreid8569]

yes, a county about 20 miles from us has been hit bad multiple times...too close for comfort for us!

[@patmaier6917]

Barry Litchfield it’s a blessing that you have one. Some don’t think they are nessary.

[@barrylitchfield250]

@@patmaier6917- I'm in the Texas Hill Country and I don't have a storm shelter. I wish we did! The ground here is about 3 or 4 inches of soil on top of several feet of solid limestone rock. It's very expensive to do anything that requires digging holes (including fence post holes). A rock drill on a large tractor for fence post holes. A rock saw with a 6 or 8 foot blade to install water lines. Septic tanks, swimming pools, & storm shelters require a large, powerful machine to dig the holes. Jack hammers are sometimes used with smaller machines. We do get tornado watches and warnings fairly often, but not like North Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. Our biggest threat is wild fires. We have a metal roof, and stucco (concrete) siding to help protect the home. But hundreds of square miles of trees all around us here in the hill country.

[@thelittlebrownranch9105]

I have wondered about putting shelters in rocky or swamping areas. What about placing a shelter above ground and then packing dirt around it?

[@barrylitchfield250]

@@thelittlebrownranch9105- That would be about the only way to build a storm shelter for a reasonable price here. They just installed a septic tank in the lot next to mine that's sticking out about 5 feet above grade. They did exactly what you suggested by piling dirt up around the concrete tank. It's ugly, but I guess it will do the job it was designed to do.

[@maryhunton8341]

That is awesome. Job well done Kevin now you will have to make room for mom and dad now that they are living there also.

[@GrampsInTexas]

Great preparedness plan. Wish everyone had a survival plan and not just for tornadoes but other disaster too. Good job!

[@mlm7598]

Excellent planning. Grew up in SD and we had many tornados and also lived in OK and we had our share there as well., We had no underground protection so we went to inside bathrooms with mattresses etc or inside closets just in case......not perfect but it's all we had where we were stationed. We thru a few tornadoes, lost all our vehicles, and also hurricanes in FLA and lost much but our lives were safe and that is the main thing. Glad for the preparedness, excellent things to keep in mind! Stay safe, pray no one has anymore to contend with this year given our past year world wide....but mother nature is a strong force. God bless all and stay safe!

[@jeffmartin693]

this is your best vid ever, who knows how many lives you might have saved.

[@citten4u]

Kevin, I love your TOILET talk. So personal and so real.

[@manny-perez]

Kevin, really excellent video. I really love the way you guys share and explain everything to your followers. Please keep putting those videos out.

[@andreanicolette2961]

We have A few yoga mats that can be rolled up and tucked away just in case someone needs to lay down. Our mats are 2 inches thick.

[@Sunshine-ym8bq]

I'm so impressed you both could teachers and I love your homestead is any growth sprouts coming up in the garden God bless I hope you never need anything but I think you have it covered

[@theguyinmaine]

In the outhouse growing up, we had a bag of lime that we sprinkled on top after using it. It keeps the smell down. We weren't poor, we had a 3 holer. Two adults and a lower one for small kids. My dad moved from the city, bought and old farm and modernized it on his own. Mean while we carried water from the well for everything. baths, dishes, cooking, laundry and used the outhouse at the end of the barn.

[@shannoncraig2147]

You had to use an outhouse, but you weren’t poor?

[@theguyinmaine]

@@shannoncraig2147 middle class until we bought the place, then lower middle class. But life was good. I guess wealth is how you look at it. Out of the city and into the country, hunting, fishing, swimming, hiking all day exploring. Great at a young age and I got to work and make my own money.

[@leslieMClass80]

That is a real nice shelter and very necessary! I live in Indiana and tornadoes are a reality as well. Lived here 3 years and haven’t had one in my county yet but we have a basement and a plan as well. Hope you never have to use it

[@alyxd.5730]

I agree. We live in Indiana as well, stay safe!

[@Goggans]

Love the video. One extra pair of socks per person. Just in case off an injury or if you need a sling due to an injury on the way in. Loved the idea too of the shelter.

[@TheTinMan3D]

How about a container of baby wipes for quick 'showers' or post toilet hand cleaning?

[@itsnotthesamething]

And dry hair shampoo!

[@kinleightate3504]

@Ojibwa62 x depends if you stuck in there waiting for help

[@lylekoss4534]

Great video , It really makes you think we Need to be PREPARED for any severe weather !

[@robertspann3640]

Need to have trash bags for trash and to put in your potty bucket for easier clean up.

[@lindastansell4056]

Baggies for potty a must

[@gatorweis2196]

Some sawdust to reduce smell might be smart...can also be vacuum sealed to reduce space and keep moisture out (humidity).

[@toddhower8215]

Bags for the toliet bucket seems like a good idea... You could tie them up to reduce oder/cleanup and/or toss the dirty bags outside during a break in the weather. If there are breaks in the weather you could do your business just outside the shelter while keeping an eye out for danger.

[@SCIFIVAMPIRE]

So funny, I kept wondering if you had a curtain for privacy. You really have thought of everything.

[@GinchyGirlCreatesAndGardens]

Love the shelter. I am in a mobile home , and out neighbors said we can always come to their house . We are also in tornado alley, so sometimes it’s nerve wracking, but so far we have just stuck it out . I keep candles, matches and a lighter . Kids have backpacks ready to put whatever they want to take if we have to leave . I have a backpack also with necessities also. :) one thing I have is baby wipes, which come in handy for so many things. And a multi tool .

[@firegamergirl5340]

I almost had one in new york... THE VARSITY FOOTBALL TEAM JUST TRIED TO HAVE A NICE HOMECOMING.

[@ellenchappell1574]

Great video! Great suggestions in the comments too, thanks for all the ideas. We have a cemented crawl space and I keep many of the same things as you. We also have a whistle. It was on a list someone shared once. It would help workers find us since the house would probably be on top of us. We have had tornadoes go within a mile of us.

[@judithneeley5229]

I saw at the dollar store small air horns for $1 each.

[@shannoncraig2147]

@@judithneeley5229ya, but when they run out of air, what then? I think a whistle would be better or maybe have both.

[@NDCntrygrl]

Don't know if you read comments left this long after a post, but in case you do... I wanted to thank you for this info! We have a basement and I usually have a bag with some food and a jug of water, food for our dog, flashlights, etc... never thought of preparing for more than an hr or two. (Duh!) Like needing a place to go to the bathroom or the tools that might be needed to dig out after. Awesome info! Thanks again!

[@gerrymarmee3054]

Such good advice. Here in Arizona I worry about having water in an emergency.

[@odonnellsaussiehomestead8257]

I'm glad we don't have tornadoes here in OZ. Stay safe and God Bless

[@mclamb2011]

You might want to add important papers or copies of those papers and list of important telephone numbers sealed in a bucket. Also first aid kit, toothbrushes and toothpaste, soap, medicines including vitamins, change of clothes for each person and a small fan to circulate the air.

[@overout429]

Good ideas .

[@virginiacurrey2019]

Paper towels needed too, extra clothes would fit in a container might be handy too.

[@thelittlebrownranch9105]

I really appreciate your videos but especially this one. As a former city girl, I thought having a room in the basement was sufficient for tornado season. Now I have more ideas about how to better prepare for a tornado emergency. Thanks.

[@danjuckel1678]

Cribbage Board! That can last a lifetime! I love you space and you have good things in it.

[@nutmegknoll]

This was an AWESOME VIDEO!!! Thank you. Some great ideas for everyone.

[@ammarmustafavlogs1453]

Beautiful place sir

[@susangerryknight2571]

I'm so glad you have one of those. The only thing I worried about when I lived down that way is if a tornado hits at night while your sleeping.

[@betsysmith9023]

Add earplugs too. In our shelter, we have a crowbar and a solid metal mallet to prior our way out if necessary.

[@tbru7018]

LOVE your preparedness! A little bit goes a long way! Just be sure your county/parish emergency manager has your shelter geolocated, so no search is complete until eyes have seen inside every known shelter!

[@Ms.Byrd68]

I agree this shelter has a 'specific' purpose so it's really for 'limited' use. I'm sure you have other preps and plans for other types of events. I do agree with Mike, below, take your IMPORTANT papers & meds with you just in case...

[@ColoradoHiker]

You might also add a bottle jack with a hardy piece of wood that fits to the door latch. If the tornado gets the neighbor that could be your last ditch effort to get a tree off the door to get out.

[@codyor4483]

People in Tornado country have nerves of steel!!! A bottle of listerine, works as a great antiseptic, and heavy boots or shoes and socks are a must. I experienced a Cat. 5 hurricane, Once. it took 2 weeks to get home, and i immediately made up an emergency kit(s) for the necessities we could have used after the hurricane. Very interesting video... stay safe, fingers crossed and prayers for all of you folks.

[@leximoore6184]

Hello fellow Missourians! We are up in NW MO right in tornado alley. We have a lot of pets, and we keep spare food for them with us! The chickens can pretty well fend pretty well for themselves, and the cats to some extent. But we have small ice cream buckets for dog and cat food. And keep them full!

[@suzannekinsey8831]

On

[@judithneeley5229]

Bring dogs and cats into the shelter. Cat litter box required. I couldn't live with myself if I left them to fend for themselves in a tornado.

[@bobbyeldridge2740]

One thing that I would add to your shelter is a trailer floor jack that you can use to open your shelter door in case you have something fall on to it. And you're not strong enough to open it. Good videos that you put out.

[@allisonteknon9811]

After our fourth Florida hurricane in 7 years we moved to the desert.

[@ER--879]

And extreme drought

[@ursulasmith6402]

The desert states are like the middle east. ( climate, of course). No thanks.

[@lovefornature8931]

@Fonxa_Ltd0007 😬😂😂😂

[@wtxrcdog]

Nice shelter I would store a 10 ton bottle jack and a few short pieces of 2 x 4 to raise up the door in case a tree or other large debris falls on the door.

[@garychandler934]

I would like to suggest rubber flooring to curve the threat of lightening. I know a family that had lightening come through once. This was the old shelters that sat above ground. The daughter had put her feet on a metal heater, she wasn't thinking and it drew the lightening in. This one may be grounded though. it looks very safe.

[@jimmievetor5008]

Check out your local amateur radio club who should have a weather watch net during bad weather. They will keep you well-informed locally once you find their broadcast frequency on your scanner.

[@christopherort2889]

Definitely have your irreplaceable papers handy. Then you can just grab a file and have copies of all birth certificates, ids etc in one place. Saves time pulling it all together when time is short.

[@shannoncraig2147]

I strongly recommend putting important papers in a bank safe deposit box! It doesn’t cost much at all.

[@misty4782]

In case you're stuck in there for days, what about a king sized air mattress? It would hold 4 of you (squeezed?) Use extra clothes in a pillow case for pillows. Blessings.

[@karenholmes2764]

Thanks for making this video. Makes you stop to think about how fast your life can change. I live in Oregon on the coast, and tornadoes are very rare--more waterspouts than tornadoes--but we have had two recent years where wild fires were a threat. One doubled in size every day for four days, and it was headed toward us. We had to prepare to evacuate. Not as terrifying as California fires. Theirs are worse because of the winds. And here earthquakes are possible, and our town was hit by the tsunami from the earthquake in Japan. You seem to be well prepared, but have you thought about what would you do if your house was actually hit and destroyed, and what you would do after? How about important papers? Proof of insurance? What if your vehicle was destroyed?

[@teresabrickey5251]

With the space you have down there you could build 3 decker bunk beds at the bottom of the stairs to sit or sleep on and use floats as mattresses, add a few sleeping bags and maybe a hide a bed that pulls out from the bottom bunk that way if your down for more than a few hours at least you could lay down and rest and wait out the storms. And don't forget a curtain to hang up on a portable rod for when someone needs to potty.

[@robingreany899]

Stay safe . Glad you are prepared for tornadoes.

[@rebeccaocker2106]

That is a great place to keep your important papers