Tornado Master above ground shelter 4 years later after installation

[@carolheyen7249]

Don’t listen to idiots on the internet who do nothing all day but criticize others. I am from Southern California also and I have watched both of these videos. You were very sweet to try to do the best for your mom, thinking of others is another thing many people don’t do well anymore. Prayers flying that you and the shelter never see action.

[@blblawhoo4338]

Even though mine is a different company, ours are alike. My family safe tornado shelter is EF5 rated. Your a smart man for getting one

[@sparksfamilyhomestead]

Yup, I agree with you. So happy you also have acquired one of similar quality for your protection. Hopefully you will never need to use it. But if you do, you and your family are being physically. protected. Blessings, Wayne

[@jd4810]

I really appreciate this followup video.

[@waynerain2372]

Family Safe, out of Ok. , have an incredible shelter for $ nearly 1/2 as expensive. These are life savers. peace.

[@catplays7930]

Prayers do actually work I was in the same situation when a ef3 was in our county we prayed and it missed us God is real!

[@loro1rojo]

That absolutely proves that God exists and that he answers prayers. Praise Jesus.

[@papablueshirt]

Just went through the BIG F5 tornado, I wish I had a store shelter like that. It was sure scary, thought we were goners. I tried to film an introduction to my video and was overcome by emotion, I did not know I had bottled it up inside. I am with you, Trust me, you do not want to go through a tornado, it affects you. Thanks for sharing, I am looking for a shelter. Of course when a 100 people die in town, probably everyone is looking. 😕

[@rosiekitties]

I have a small one in my garage it holds about 3 people i bought it in 2014 when they blow that siren i don;t have far to go if i know that a tornado is possible I get what I need out of the house like my lock box of important papers and other stuff and take to the what i call the safe that way i don't have to be running around trying to get what i need i am very pleased with the product its from a different Co. in Ark. the same town i live in. we did have a tornado in aug. of 2021 it did go right over my house I thought it was going to take my roof off praise God it did not but several of my neighbors weren't so lucky it took roofs uprooted trees it was terrible but i was in my safe place.

[@forevergeralyn]

I love that you thought about your Mom when planning your shelter. I'm sorry for your loss.

[@divineknowledge4607]

God bless you for not abandoning your mom. I know, or rather knew, someone who did exactly that. His mother bought them that house too. When I found out and confirmed it I instantly deleted his phone and had nothing more to do with him. Sadly she did die, and I wonder if she thought of her only son leaving her standing in the kitchen to die. Again, God bless you, you sound like a good person.

[@catplays7930]

Im glad that tornado missed you guys smart decision to get a shelter

[@catplays7930]

oh, and you are right under ground and above ground tornado shelters can withstand an ef5 tornado they are very strong

[@CanesFan65]

One thing I bet a lot of people do not consider having in their Storm Shelter is toilet paper and a Plastic Can with bags to go Potty and some air freshener. If you are stuck in there for longer than you expect to be and someone has to go to the bathroom, this would be extremely helpful. We learned that the hard way during an Active Shooter Lockdown several years ago.

[@akbychoice]

Bucket with bag and kitty litter inside helps.

[@dannydeshler4327]

We have had tornadoes touch down in our area of Gallatin, TN just outside of Nashville. The people who make these idiotic comments are folks who I promise you have never actually seen one of these coming at them in person, destroying absolutely everything in it's path. We had one a few years ago that spun up in the daylight very close to our offices, when you see (and hear) one in person it is terrifying...nothing like what you see on TV. I'm like you, that day we decided we would never be in a situation where we didn't have a safe place to go. We purchased and installed a 20 person above ground unit in our shop that is epoxy anchored to the floor slab under it. Don't worry about the haters, they speak purely from inexperience.

[@timothyjeffcoats7557]

Think two of these. One for people and one for emergency supplies. Like generator, chainsaw, tent, sleeping bags, etc…

[@jessicapabon2105]

Thank you for your video I just found you and subscribed. We Live in Central Texas we do get tornadoes people say not as many as North Texas but we do get some pretty scary situations. I wish we had an above shelter tornado shelter! I live with my mom and I take care of her as she has osteoporosis and scoliosis and arthritis and last year we went through such a Fright with a potential tornado that did not touch down in our area it diverted thank goodness because I was at a loss praying to God I don't know what to do because she cannot get into a tub and these houses have no Centerpoint the only place that has no windows is a corner bedroom with a corner bathroom that is in the master bedroom. The bath toilet area has an extra door we could have closed and then ran into the bedroom closet but that is just nerve-racking and the day I move out of here I do plan on going up north to my sisters and her property was they get a lot of tornadoes up there but at least we can have them put one of these above-ground tornado Masters up north in their house..... I think a couple of things that might be really nice to have inside that shelter would be those lights that you get from Amazon some time to get two or four of them that you just lightly touch them and they turn on but in the back of them is a magnet so because it's made out of metal it will attach itself anywhere you want in there so it'll give you plenty of light and get yourself too small floor fans that run with batteries. Because after a while even though you have ventilation it's going to get pretty warm in there but if you have two of those small fish and you can actually attach some magnets to them and they will stick in any corner of that shelter and because they run by battery you're going to have good circulation in there without getting overly hot and uncomfortable. And everyone knows when tornado season is going to hit so I would say a month before tornado season get it cleaned aired out and ready to go. One method I saw is a person who had five gallon buckets with lids and eat person had a beanie rice bag which is like a pillow for the top lid so you could actually sit on the bucket comfortably but inside the bucket you had some snacks and you had some extra water you also had maybe extra batteries and maybe you have a small throw that brand-new shove it in there a pair of socks and I say that because there might be those storms that do come from time-to-time where the storms are back-to-back and you have a lot of tornadoes in the area so you might have to stay overnight in there? It doesn't happen often but I have heard of cases where it has occurred

[@normagibbs8948]

I also have an above ground shelter I would like to suggest one thing my installer said it would be good to add ear protection because it can become very noisy during a tornado so I keep these in my shelter in 8 years I have only used it once but it is peace of mind whenever a bad storm hits. So glad you and your family were saved by the tornado turning

[@sparksfamilyhomestead]

That is such a great suggestion. I will have some now also in our shelter. Thanks so much for your comment and thanks for watching our Fruits&Berries Utube channel take care and God Bless.

[@c50ge]

Don’t forget a Bible and a flashlight

[@willpizza1]

@@sparksfamilyhomestead just wondering i got a quote from These guys for 5 people above ground it was around 20k is that what you paid ?

[@sparksfamilyhomestead]

@@willpizza1 that would not surprise me at all. I paid 11,000 for it back in 2015. I thought then it was expensive. But the quality and its protection is probably worth it. There may be cheaper ones out there. You pay for what you get. I value life. At the time we got it we where taking care of my 86 year old mother. She was living with us for 5 years before her passing in 2017. She could never walk down and into an underground shelter. We practiced with her being on a chair with wheels so we could roll her into the shelter. Thank God, the last threat we had made a 90 degree turn just before it hit our house. If you value your life. I highly recommend getting one. Thanks for your comment. I now live in North Eastern Tennessee with my wife next to the Smokey mountains. God's country😁

[@courtney6126]

We don’t live too far from you. Just north of the Red River. So very familiar w the weather and how scary it can be. We have a cellar that was built w our house in 1940. But I can assure the door would be ripped off and it has two large vents each about the size of my head, that would allow enough water in to flood us out. I seriously want to convince my mom to get one of these to put in the garage.

[@cherylrios8487]

Are you a descendant of the Sparks family from NC and KY? If so, we are cousins! And I live in North TX also...in Haslet a mile from Wal-Mart!!! We got the blue prints from the Texas Tech research and had a safe room built into our home as it was being built. It is also rated F5. I remember well the tornado you are talking about. It actually did damage in Denton around NTSU. I tell folks, "It may cost you $5000 to have a safe room or storm shelter but if you have to use it just once, just once, it has paid for itself."

[@sparksfamilyhomestead]

I once tried to locate my background with the Sparks family. If you do a google search, there are multitudes of Sparks nationwide. More than likely, blood wise perhaps not. Sparks is a very widely used last name as I have discovered. I wish you the best in your search. I can say this though, my family is from Texas but there are Sparks in all 50 states. Take care and God Bless.

[@sparksfamilyhomestead]

If you look on my youtube channel, you'll see my family and I relocated to Eastern Tennessee a few years ago to get out of the heat. Lol... We love it here. Blessings. Wayne

[@cherylhake8186]

Thank you for the information I live in Mo and have a crawl space and keep thinking I need a plan.

[@peppergrand1072]

Good on you Sir. The most important part of you providing for you and yours has been accomplished. Any deflection or insecure contributions that lead to summation or criticism can beg for your pardon ,when knocking at your door to assist in saving their lives if and when a death funnel creeps towards the earth and makes you question your reasons to live. I am going to give this addition to the property and A++, and estimates of property value have increased 2 fold if you ever thought to sell your home and move in a state that has no tornadoes.

[@sparksfamilyhomestead]

Actually, that is exactly what I have done. Our storm shelter and this video is a few years old now but has been from what I can tell a major inspiration of anyones sanity to save ones life when that life is in peril. i was extremely concerned as the years went by with all the tornado threats we recieved. My aging mother came to live with us and her body could not take to steps or strairs. Our Texas home was a single story with almost 2 acres. We loved it yet when the one tornado came to our home and we where threatened, that's when I realized we needed something for mom and something that will keep the entire family safe. For all the nosayers out their that know better than me and my family, Go to your bath tubs or mattresses over your heads and pray you do not get hurt or die if the tornado hits your home. Tornado Master their in Texas has documented proof that the shelter we got will withstand a cat 5 hit. We simply sat my mother on a mobile desk chair and rolled her into the storm shelter. So simple and so easy. She could never get into a below ground shelter with steps. My mother passed in 2017 and she is so missed and loved. As for me and my wife and 3 children we did what we believed would save our lives. In 2019, we sold that home with the storm shelter which did increase its value and moved to beautiful North Eastern Tennessee. We live near the Appalation mountains and have all 4 seasons here. I do not miss Texas as we had lived in Tornado Ally as it is called. We raised our entire family there with no regrets. But now that I retired, I wanted to live in God's gorgeous beauty and garden and be off the grid. I am so thankful for life and thankful to our creator who gives us the breath of life to live. Blessings, Wayne

[@peppergrand1072]

@@sparksfamilyhomestead There by the grace of God Go I, The idea of being ProActive, post close mother nature skirting by. The amount of procrastination that I guess the majority of community home owners and rent collectors who I assume don't have any moral obligations to build a legit storm shelter, bunker, safe room into the existing structure is the thing not done or planned for until it's a sweltering day,the humidity is off the barometer charts and the arctic air just pushed its way around the Rocky Mountains, now the weather team has been howpin and chowpin for the last several days that in the hours of this to that on the date of IS TODAY, and now your diaper is on the verge of being filled with the fear your house is without a survival bunker or installed steel walled concrete fortified, "I'll live to see another day, shelter had been discussed with no action and now you are going to walk with your tail between your legs and knock on the neighbors door, the ones who do have a modern in-house shelter and them being so selfless you are welcomed to stay with them while the direction of the inevitable funnel cloud is charted

[@Stevenet1]

Sorry to hear of your mother’s passing and thank you for the information. I’m absolutely terrified of Tornados but fascinated by them on The Weather Channel...

[@jennylynch7503]

Amen my brother in Christ! Power of prayer is awesome!!! I have an above ground shelter in my garage and I love it!!!💜💜

[@rrhill113]

You do not only own a tornado shelter, but an adequate safe room for your family to shelter!

[@petuniafuzz9083]

Thank you for the information. This is probably the route I need to go. I love Spring and all the digging in the dirt, but Spring in Oklahoma is terrifying.

[@ashleyadkins9443]

Sorry for your loss. This video was so informative, thank you!

[@lmfarms4611]

Thank you, there will always be nay sayer's or critics. Better to be safe than sorry.

[@n0nitwitz]

New sub. Thx for this info. I’m from CA via Oregon in NC looking at homes in Knoxville. Having one of these would open options for my limited house budget as I would be able to live without worry in many states.

[@sparksfamilyhomestead]

Thanks for the sub!

[@tillyrhodz6780]

Praise the Lord❤ Prayer is life in Jesus! Prayer answers all

[@njcanuck]

I would keep a box of all my most important papers and key sets in the shelter.

[@WeepingWillow422]

People online are just mean. They are so dissatisfied with their own lives that they have to pick on other people and try to manipulate them. There's nothing wrong with your choice to get an above-ground shelter. People don't realize... some areas of the country are prone to flooding. I don't live in Texas, but I've heard some bad stories about floods there (from hurricanes, tornadoes, thunderstorms... any storm that brings rain). If you're in a flood-prone area, what if a tornado-warned storm has downpours that flash-flood your basement and make it dangerous to take shelter underground? What if the ground becomes too wet to properly hold in a storm shelter? I don't know if that is the case where you are, but some areas of the country actually would do better with an above-ground for those and similar reasons. Anyway, I'm glad your family was spared from that tornado that was originally headed your way! I believe in the power of prayer too! God answers in times of trouble! God bless you and you now have a new subscriber (sorry about the long post, I'll get off my soap box now lol).

[@bcd4562]

💯💯💯💯

[@tillyrhodz6780]

I'm a NEW subscriber ❤

[@jonathanbecker8935]

"Thank God, We were spared." The folks in Denton got screwed pretty badly, but meh... Ha ha, just kidding. Great video though. Thanks for the explanation and taking the time to share your experience. Seems like the research is pretty solid that above ground is pretty much 100% secure for tornados and you don't have to worry about high water table or potential accumulation of natural gas like you would underground. Living in tornado alley, especially in Northern Texas would be terrifying without having one of these. Nighttime tornados particularly are something that would be rough to deal with in these parts. FEMA should offer assistance to folks who want to install one of these. This option also seems better than the concrete one that uses 30 tons of concrete! It would be interesting to see some of these that have gone thru active tornados in homes that have been destroyed around them. Maybe a couple beach chairs inside to relax on while you're waiting out the latest tornado warning. Thanks for sharing this! I'm surprised that your neighbors haven't invested in shelters themselves. It would be really hard to have to go thru all those tornado warnings you get in Texas with nowhere to safely hide! Sorry about the loss of your mom. Good luck with the homesteading!

[@missdoglover1644]

Wow that’s crazy that you don’t have sirens. The shelter is definitely a good investment!

[@tngardener231]

We have stairs that go down to our garage and I already told my mom that we will put it down at the end of the stairs and I’m thinking of having a slide to get down there for her 😂 sounds funny but what happens if I’m not home and she needs to get down there fast

[@jerryharris3444]

great video glad you and your family with the grace of God survived

[@joevalencia3161]

How much was your above ground shelter I like the idea

[@phillhuddleston9445]

The walls are not 1-1/4" plate I'm guessing that was either a typo or you misread it and it is 1/4" plate, good shelter and video though. For those criticizing the shelter it is far better than no shelter at all, a regular house alone will fail way before this would.

[@phillhuddleston9445]

If you measure the anchor bolt I think you will find that they are half inch not one and a half inches in diameter though they may be 5/8" or possibly 3/4", either way still strong enough. Not trying to criticise just pointing it out for anyone thinking about buying or building a storm shelter, you need accurate info to compare them.

[@sparksfamilyhomestead]

Thanks for your comment. It was a misread. You are correct. Its structure is incredible. I'm grateful to have it.

[@debbiecrothers416]

I was wondering how that worked out for you. Happy your doing well

[@sparksfamilyhomestead]

Thanks Debbie. My follow up was way overdue and so many people had questions. I hope I answered most of them thru this follow up. Thanks so much for your comment and viewing our Fruits&Berries Homestead. Take care..

[@sh839c]

Good video. What is the price of that shelter?.

[@susie11]

That's amazing! I've been fascinated with tornados since the movie Twister, but can't imagine living where you have them. Praying you are always safe. Rip to your Mother. I lost my Mom a few year's ago too. May I ask approximately how much? I always thought it would be nice to have a bunker, after seeing the Movie Greenland with asteroids. Maybe put portable fans if its humid? I think they have battery operated ones. Water and snacks? Like granola bars. Be safe!🌪🙏🙏🙏 Subscribed! You feel like family somehow. My parents are both gone now,Dad passed this last June.

[@bettebyrd]

We have sirens here in Alabama and they upgraded them for $287,000.00 and we have never in 37 years been able to hear those sirens! The storms are way too loud to hear the sirens! If your going to “go” you will go no matter where you are but your correct PRYER is the most powerful! GOD SPEED!

[@sylvesterjohns7968]

Do you know if Tornado Masters deliver in the state of Mississippi? Great video, by the way.

[@sparksfamilyhomestead]

Im sorry. I do not but look them up in Texas and they will help you with that request.

[@jeffkardosjr.3825]

Somebody in the Federal Govt. seems keen on getting rid of sirens, whether they are for tornadoes or a nuclear power plant.

[@buckeyegordon]

You do go on but I love the stories

[@kathysiebert6654]

Stair Issue Resolution: 2 wheeler cart. Piece of cake, abc, done.

[@timothyjeffcoats7557]

By the way grew up in Oklahoma and know how much destruction these monsters can do. Be safe.

[@dragonflyneb]

Good video, I watched the install video very interesting! What is the black thing on the outside wall?

[@sparksfamilyhomestead]

Oh my gosh. I forgot to mention that. The black thing is actually a flash light with a connecting magnet. Thanks for asking.😁

[@danburch9989]

That shelter may be EF5 rated but probably for wind speeds only and light debris. If heavy tornado debris like a car or truck comes through the garage, I seriously doubt it or it's contents would survive. It looks like 2"x2" welded cage with sheet metal panels. I wouldn't feel safe which is important to me.

[@sparksfamilyhomestead]

Check out the Joplin tornado. It saved many lives. Ours was similar construction as the photos show how a family was saved in the above ground shelter. If you do the research your comment is not valid. Best not to speculate but get the facts. The facts and photos prove otherwise.

[@RickKennedyFilms]

I believe also God's divine Help Praise God

[@trosper4676]

sorry to hear bout your mother passing as well i know its been sometime now but anyways don't ever ever worry or even acknowledge what some idiot has got to say about your film you put up what kind of person would make fun of a man wanting to protect his family that's pure ignorance just people that jealous because they have no means to provide safety for there self let alone for there family....anyways just wanted to take the time out my day to drop a line to you... God bless you and your family

[@sparksfamilyhomestead]

Thank you so much!

[@trosper4676]

☺☺@@sparksfamilyhomestead

[@xsteel3292]

From this video it sounds like this is near Denton Texas, but your above title says Tennessean homestead. I am in Fort Worth. Can you clarify please. Thank you.

[@sparksfamilyhomestead]

Yes. We are in North Eastern Tennessee for over 2 years now. Sold our home in North Texas back in 2019. I wanted to be in or near the Smokey mountains. Thanks for asking.

[@boldeagle43]

@@sparksfamilyhomestead God's country. I grew up in the Tri-Cities area of Northeast TN. I retired from the military and ended up in Texas. Just moved to Tulsa from Celina TX. I miss TN. I hope you enjoy it.

[@sparksfamilyhomestead]

@@boldeagle43 Yes, tricities here in Tennessee is awesome. Expecting snow again this afternoon. I have planted over 30 fruit trees, including nut trees also on our small acreage. Living so close to the Smokies,it's the perfect 4 season climate and affordability for housing here. I'm thinking this spring to also start raising Quail for eggs and meat too. I do not miss Texas but, will only miss friends we left there. Hope you love Tulsa.😊

[@bettebyrd]

They last less than one minute! A nice bench would be nice to sit.

a fridge full of food & BEER!!! would be better....

[@JWLuke787]

20:00 With the exception of what happened in Jarrell Texas, this is true.

[@brendajanzen7178]

Yes. I drove through there after that Jarrell monster. It pulled up the asphalt from the roads and foundations.

[@pleasantboswell2684]

I can’t seem to find a price installed for this one or any of their shelters. Anyone know what the prices are?

[@jennylynch7503]

I paid 5000.00 for an 8 person shelter...so worth it!!

[@waynerain2372]

This company wants $10 grand, Family Safe co. is just as protective but charges 40% less. FS has a 300lb door, is more safe.

[@charlibrewton5124]

I have one, very small, I love h@ving it. Nothing f@ncy, but in my barn part of my barn house. Big enough for me and my dog I step out of my house, into my barn 🇨🇱

[@sparksfamilyhomestead]

This reply is late. lol but Im working on it and hope to share soon in the Ekklesia.

[@wrestlingfan4ever76]

Some of the above ground models have metal floors. This one doesn't the metal floors. I think that is a disadvantage.

[@myriadcorp]

God must have sent that Tornado towards the sinners in Denton. We are looking at building in Fort Worth and I will for sure put one of these in my garage. I was just there and the tornado sirens went off at the hotel. There was baseball sized hail that hit just north of us near Denton. God doesn't like Denton.

[@divineknowledge4607]

You may want to invest in some ear protection. I can't even imagine how loud that would be in there. A million people running around it hitting it will ballpeen hammers as hard as they can while driving their car into it 😂.

[@nativetexan9776]

Sadly, I have SEVERE Claustrophobia and will most likely end up dying because I could not be locked up inside a storm shelter. Within minutes, I would be in full blown panic trying to get out, danger or no danger on the other side of the door. The brain loses all means of rationalism and will not rest until you are free from what ever you are locked in.

[@sparksfamilyhomestead]

Sorry to hear of your issues. The door opens inwards and not outwards. 2 vents for air circulation on both ends of the shelter. Better in the shelter verses in one's bath tub. Ours was similar to the ones that saved many lives in the Joplin tornado. Check it out on the internet. According to what you said. You would never have survived the Joplin tornado unless you could be in a storm shelter. I rather stay alive and not die needlessly. I have clostraphobia also. I can't wear masks. My doctor prescribed a simple med for me to take that would relax me instead me freaking out during a jet flight during covid. Tornados come and go within few moments. Take a med, relax and protect yourself. Just FYI.

[@marciakirkbride4210]

Cost?

[@sparksfamilyhomestead]

When we purchased it, I paid 11,000 cash for it. It gave our family a totally peace of mind. Awesome!

[@janhautala3971]

Why not buy an inexpensive wheelchair for anybody disabled, recovering at home? Keep it by the shelter.

[@sparksfamilyhomestead]

My mother back then had a wheelchair. No problems

[@jdnlaw1974]

I believe in prayer and that God intervenes to protect me...so I paid thousands of dollars for a tornado shelter. 😂

[@cindyb.9998]

Well He did give us common sense. 🙄

[@jdnlaw1974]

@St Matthew Yeah, “faith without action is futile” but have you noticed that action seems to do just fine without the faith part? I can have his tornado shelter without a lick of faith and be fine, he can have all the faith in the world and no tornado shelter and die. Faith is a man made concept that lacks any virtue and intelligence if you’ll take of your god glasses and look at it objectively. I used to be a Christian and once played the game of tennis without the net.

[@jdnlaw1974]

@St Matthew Wait, you don’t believe that the story of Noah’s ark and the flood is true do you? Please tell me you’ve got more sense than that.

[@kathysiebert6654]

@@jdnlaw1974 LOL, I BELIEVE IT, GUESS YOU MISSED THE AIRING ON TV WHEN AN EXPEDITION VIDEOED THE ARK ON MT ARIAT (SP) IN TURKEY. THEY FOUND IT! Next case???

[@jdnlaw1974]

@@kathysiebert6654 I assume you’re kidding? They’ve claimed to find the ark hundreds of times, each time it’s debunked.

[@StillAliveAndKicking_]

I wouldn’t want to be in their after someone took a poop.Ewwww. Beats dying though. What happens when the garage collapses on to the shelter preventing egress? And all the houses around are flattened. And phone masts are down. How do you summon help? Is there ventilation? Maybe you answered these questions, but the video was far too long to watch.