Virtual Tour of Tornado Shelter Than Saved 7 People in EF4 Tornado

Take a virtual tour of a Safe Sheds above ground tornado shelter that was hit by an EF4 tornado in Vilonia, Arkansas, in April of 2014. See the inside and outside of the shelter and photos of the destruction.

[@aprilluallen3522]

I ordered my shelter this week and cannot wait to receive it!

[@BadWeatherfreak]

How much?

[@OnlineMediaLLC1]

So, how is it going with your shelter?

[@dahinsoncoj]

Nothing Succeds (Sells) Like Success! Congrats on engineering and constructing a life saving structure that actually performs as designed and marketed.

[@grc5618]

Those people were probably terrified when they were in there 😳

[@tennaj1367]

She seems so sweet.

[@toryknotts8026]

I'm very impressed. I also love that you deliver to Florida. I do have one gripe: I imagine the sound of things clanging off the shelter would be deafening, especially a full sized truck! Perhaps some dampening foam panels could be included.

[@Safesheds]

Good afternoon, Tory. Our customers, who own shelters, report that the inside is very quite during severe weather. They report that their animals and children sleep soundly throughout the night during storms. Concrete absorbs sound much better than steel. Thank you for your comment.

[@markb.1259]

It's 4 INCHES of steel reinforced concrete in the walls... You'll sleep like a baby!!

[@IIIAnchani]

@@markb.1259 you'd be shocked to learn that houses in Germany are quite often made out of steel reinforced concrete that's 7 inches thick (7 inches is the minimal strength a concrete wall can have, if it carries weight in Germany.

[@13_cmi]

@@IIIAnchani we need Germans to come here and build houses.

[@SnowPink90]

@@13_cmi Here too!! I’m watching a house being built across the street and down 4 houses once you go around the bend and I’ll tellYa, it’s being so cheaply built that it wouldn’t survive a tornado whatsoever. And the prices for houses here is absolutely insane!!

[@TheHurkulez]

2:43 A dent and bent cross brace, and chipped concrete is damage.... Its not in its actual manufactured state any more.... But it did what it was suppose to do. Saved lifes.

[@janhoyle1462]

They are invaluable.

[@mytube6538]

They are a necessity.

[@trustbuster23]

I like this design more than those shelters that get buried in the ground or in your garage. With the escape hatch on the back you are far less likely to get trapped inside it. It should have a way to put a small mini-split into it. If you invest in something like this, you'd want to set it up to be comfortable enough to sleep in when there is any significant weather risk. It doesn't do you any good if you won't go into it ahead of time because it is stifling hot.

[@RobynS9722]

I'm looking into a good shelter. I live in Laurel, MS and all y'all have to do is Google Easter Sunday tornado Mississippi and you'll see what we lived through. Most of my family all lost their homes. I lost my home, car, most everything but we did not lose a single family member by the mercy of the Lord. Now I never want to face what I faced that day again and am searching for a shelter. However, with buying a new home, vehicles, furniture, appliances, clothes and everything else we needed, money is tight. I'm so stressed, though. I HAVE to have a shelter!

[@SnowPink90]

If you built on the same land, why didn’t you get them to build you an in-ground shelter? One like this shelter but in your basement or beside your house that you can get to through your basement.

[@ultrajazz5335]

I’ve seen the videos and thank God your family survived.

[@eveadame1059]

🧐 Monolithic Eco Domes Round Shape Only Building Rated 5 By FEMA

[@BillyBlaze7]

@@SnowPink90 We dont have basements in the south, the ground shifts too much. It would cost 5x or more to build a southern basement due to the extra engineering involved

[@streetslayinggto2505]

That was a Silverado, thrown like a rock..

[@SteveKasian]

Ha ha ha ha Good one.

[@johndow9383]

poorly build shite

[@13_cmi]

If you blow hard enough you can turn anything into a rock

[@wadewilson8011]

No it wasn't, it was a damn FORD F-250. Pieces of crap!🤬 Let's BATTLE!!😂😂

[@tty117]

Yes she called it a Nissan pick up truck

[@giovannitallino1985]

I ordered one. I am waiting for it to arrive, just in time for hurricane season...

[@esatuzundemir9321]

Did you get to use it yet?

[@JD-gj2rj]

Had to be a scary ride for sure! Glad all is well!!!

[@Johncourt409]

I’ve never heard of a safe shed failing during a tornado. They seem to be built very well with rebar reinforcement.

[@stopcensorship7365]

What keeps you From getting stuck inside if something wedges up against the door?

[@JimmyGOliver]

Well nothing, but most always after a disaster like this, rescuers and search teams search the areas. They are trained to know what to look for, worst case you spend 8 or 10 hours in this. But thankfully you do that alive.

[@Make-Asylums-Great-Again]

I have a hydraulic ram mounted to my storm door, nothing will stop it from opening(within reason).

[@agonzgonzalez7748]

I’m guessing they didn’t think about having a door that opens in instead of out

[@timnewman1172]

​@@agonzgonzalez7748 a door that opens in would be more likely to fail in a tornado this intense...

[@floatsomboy]

I understand there is an escape hatch in the back wall

[@Nunyabidnuz]

I never knew these existed and i live in a mobile home...ill be checking some out in missouri...ive bren.worried since the town of Joplin was leveled...

[@Danijean85]

Illinoisan without a basement here. Didn't know you all were in Illinois. That's great.

[@TheMidLifeCrisis817]

That's impressive. We are in the market for a storm shelter, but I want to know for sure it will survive an EF5 tornado. There's been several that big that's come within a couple of miles of me.

[@desertweasel6965]

Those shelters will withstand an f5.

[@johnf817]

I wouldn't trust anything above ground...this shelter looks safe, but there have been F5 tornadoes that have thrown 20 thousand pound tanks a half a mile. There isn't much that can withstand that power, besides being out of its way (underground). and the steel boxes that are put in garages that are just 6 inches below ground are useless and only there to comply with code. You need to be under the dirt. Not just in a hole with a steel plate over your head.

[@devindurham8498]

Underground is definitely the safest from tornadoes, however flooding is a huge threat to underground shelters. Some storms, particularly in the south, have tons of rain with them and flooding can become a bigger risk than the tornado. So it just depends. The chances of a direct ef5 hit are lower than a flash flood. @@johnf817

[@jeffkardosjr.3825]

Bank vaults have survived EF5 tornadoes though. Matter of economics maybe. ​@@johnf817

[@chaz5229]

Every year storms get more and more intense....everywhere. I am in Virginia and even though we have been lucky....I'm still convinced we haven't seen anything yet here....it's coming and it scares me. I live in a two story farm house that belonged to my grandparents. The closest thing we have to a storm shelter is a pit in the packing house (for those who ask...what is....it's a structure that was used to pack up tobacco before going to market) . It's been decades since it was used...the structure itself is in excellent shape...but it's full of MANY things from yesteryear....so there is something probably living in the pit....it's a scary looking place...so I always said...I will take my chances staying in the house....LOL!! But lately...the wheels in my mind have been going round and round. I always thought underground was best...but these sheds seem really secure and safe. I have been watching videos lately about them....and I think it's something a lot of people should actually consider checking into. I know not everyone can afford to do it...myself included...but think about this.....Can you actually put a price on safety for your family? I will def be checking on prices and such very soon.

[@crazieman]

>More intense No they haven't. Stop swallowing the media.

[@westernkentucky5956]

Where are you guys in Southern Il?

[@diesel7903]

That’s impressive

[@tonihollingsworth5676]

Have they ever thought of making the door swing in in case there is something blocking the door? I would be afraid I would be trapped inside and debris would be hiding the shed

[@annieoakslee]

I imagine as long as you had food, water, flashlights and the ventilation they have you'd be could to go til help arrived

[@MichaelJohnson-ux7pe]

What would something like this cost or a smaller version? We live in Alabama, Clay county. Nice video

[@Safesheds]

We have two sizes - the 8' x 10' is $5,250 and the 6' x 6' is $3,950. Delivery is based on your distance from us and our ability to delivery another shelter on the same trip as yours (doesn't have to be in the immediate area of you, just able to share miles). Please request a quote from our web site or call our office for a customized quote that will include delivery and sales tax. Thank you for your interest.

[@michellebarbee2047]

@Dpp 1235 Thank you for your inquiry. We do deliver to Indiana and would be happy to provide a customized quote. Please contact our office or submit a quote request form via our web site for an accurate price.

[@julieabston3520]

I live in Alabama and am about to place an order soon. Just thought I'd mention it to anyone in Alabama thinking about ordering.

[@mytube6538]

@@julieabston3520 as soon as we buy a house we are ordering one ASAP. So like in 4 months or so

[@earthlytreasures925]

@@julieabston3520 It has been about a year since you ordered your shelter, what do you think about it

[@pl747]

Is the main structure made of concrete? And how tall is it inside? I would like something like that back filled around with dirt. Any installers in southeast Oklahoma?

[@Safesheds]

The roof, walls, and floor are all 6,000 PSI concrete poured around a 12" O.C. rebar cage. We do not utilize dealers but deliver frequently to Oklahoma, Florida, Texas, North Carolina, Nebraska, and all points in between. For a customized quote, please call our office at 888-556-1531 or visit our web site. Thank you for your question.

[@maddog45auto66]

I live in Bridgeport Illinois just South of Robinson where the EF3 tornado hit a couple weeks ago and I'm wanting to know what. Would one of them buildings cost? Or could you PM me some literature I would like to have a price on a 8' by 8' 6'H For a family of 4.

[@SnowPink90]

Incredible!!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@Goinbig]

What if the truck was stuck against the door, shouldn't the door pull inward for that type of scenario?

[@Safesheds]

Thank you for your question, Mr. Jones. FEMA does not require a direction of swing for storm shelter doors in Pub. 320 or 361. However, storm shelter doors must be tested to ensure their safety. A Safe Shed door swings outward for several reasons. 1) The door, in addition to its construction, is also aided by being forced against the steel door jamb in the event of being struck by debris (think about kicking in a door that opens inward as opposed to outward). 2) Our door weighs 250 lbs. If, during entry to the shelter, the door would be pulled from your hand and thrown into the shelter, it would seriously injure anyone else who was already inside the shelter. 3) By swinging outward, the interior of the shelter has more space for occupants and emergency supplies. Anyone who is concerned about being able to exit the shelter if debris is piled in front of it can add our optional emergency escape opening to the back wall of the shelter. In the Vilonia EF4, the shelter door took a direct hit from a full sized pickup, held up just fine, and saved seven lives, the most important thing a storm shelter can possibly do. Thank you for your interest. Have a great day!

[@theunsophisticatedplatypus4685]

Safe Sheds Inc y’all have an amazing looking product. Love your answer about the door. Staying alive is the most important thing. If you are blocked in then it’s like getting stuck in an elevator. Just chill till the fire department comes. Love these kind of stories too.

[@wadewilson8011]

THANK GOD it saved the dogs!

[@byronbarnett2070]

BB: My big problem with this company is they will not relocate a safe shed. I built my house 500 ft from where we were living in a trailer while we built home. They will not move my save shed that short distance. I offered $2k to move. They said no. Ridiculous

[@safeshedssales5046]

Good afternoon, Mr. Barnett. I'm sorry that we have disappointed you. Bringing a semi tractor to your location 400+ miles from us and spending the three to four hours needed to un-anchor, load, move, unload, and re-anchor your shelter is not a service we are able to cost- and time-effectively offer. The 270+ customers who are waiting for their shelters must be our highest priority at this time. With the very short distance you're needing to move your shelter, a local crane company should be able to do the job pretty quickly, and it would typically be less than $2,000 you have in your budget.

[@byronbarnett2070]

@@safeshedssales5046 Had I known this I would not had bought it.

[@MichaelJohnson-ux7pe]

Second question for you on this unit, how is this anchor to the ground?

[@Safesheds]

Thank you for the question, Mr. Johnson. Our shelters are anchored on all four corners. If installed on bare ground or a gravel pad, we mechanically drive screw-in anchors 4' into the ground and attach them to the shelter. If installed on concrete, we use a pre-fab anchor that anchors into the concrete. Please visit our web site for photos and more information.

[@taylorwoodward5869]

They usually are bolted deep into the ground

[@Safesheds]

@@taylorwoodward5869 As are ours...4' steel anchors driven into the ground on all four corners.

[@lynn2212]

I assume the "safe sheds" are anchored to the ground?

[@barb4255]

Sounds like a good place for important family papers too.

[@savedforever1]

What HOLDS this shed into the ground?????

[@michellebarbee2047]

Thank you for your question, Mr. Gerstner. This particular shelter is a display model at our facility in Illinois. When we install our shelters, however, we anchor them at all four corners using 4' in-ground screw anchors to keep them from twisting or sliding if they are struck by debris. The 8' x 10' shelter weighs 12 ton, and our smaller 6' x 6' shelter weighs 5.5 ton.

[@burtgummer463]

Some shelter is better than nothing..but above ground ? supposing the tornado decided to throw the whole truck at your shelter at EF4 speeds...ouchy!

[@plainwornout3964]

It did throw the whole truck.

[@oneperson5760]

An above ground shelter is needed for people whose water table is high. At our place, an underground shelter would become an in-ground pool. This shelter is certified by FEMA as near-absolute protection. It weighs 24,000 pounds and is anchored into the ground. Also, underground shelters with ladders are impossible for people in wheelchairs or with mobility issues to use safely or in a hurry. This shelter design solves many of the problems other shelters have.

[@Im-just-Stardust]

Well made

[@Nagroddy]

I wonder how the users may do if they are in the shed during a combination hurricane-flood.

[@safeshedssales5046]

Thank you for the question. FEMA standards for hurricane shelters stipulate that they should not be installed in areas that are identified as flood areas or storm surge areas. We check installation location requests prior to delivery and remind owners to evacuate if so ordered by local authorities. It is not watertight!

[@gaming4K]

3:38 what i thought the company could give them another one and study the one which was hit to make it even stronger. :D

[@IIIAnchani]

you can't really make it stronger, if absolutely nothing got any damage.

[@daleolson3506]

How did they get out if the truck was there? The door should open in.

[@michellebarbee2047]

Mr. Olson - The truck did not stay against the shelter. Also, there is another opening in the back of the shelter in case debris blocked the door.

[@Critical-Thinker895]

There are a lot of people in the comments who have a fear of getting blocked in. The door opening outward means the door jamb will stop the door when pushed inward.

[@rxwhat33]

This is amazing, they all would have been dead if not for that shelter.

[@divineknowledge4607]

I bet it was loud as Hell at rush hour inside there.

[@csadaybyday]

It’s great that the people survived, but shouldn’t the door open in instead of out?

[@safeshedssales5046]

FEMA Pub. 320/361 don't require a door to open inwards or outwards. When an object strikes the 3/16" steel door, like the EF4-thrown pickup truck did, the 250 lb. door is forced against a steel doorjamb, adding mechanical strength. The doorframe is poured into the concrete, so there's no danger of the frame, jamb, or hardware failing. Our debris test results are on our website for your review.

[@toneyfamily1398]

I'm still a bit leary of the roof corner. But I'll admit, the shelter did it's job.

[@simpinainteasyRHEC]

😲😲😲😲 im dying to see how this most recent December 2021 tornados damaged shelters/basement's

[@JimmyGOliver]

This would have been a God sent to people around here.

[@jtoler5498]

I bet they had to change there draws after that truck hit that door!!

[@HoneyMarketingBoard]

Wow

[@gordbaker896]

There is one HUGE fault in the Design. The door could be Narrower and have a step above grade and MUST OPEN INWARD. There is more than a tiny dent, that stiffener is bent. Roof is Structural. Vents should be through bolted to inside covers. If it has a rear hatch, ladder rungs must be incorporated 2 above and 4 below opening inside and outside if hatch is more than 24" above grade.

[@peggyisme]

can't get a wheelchair through a narrower door, looks like you do have to step up and in to it, They all survived, including the shed.

[@gordbaker896]

@@peggyisme Good point. Most Wheelchairs partially collapse I believe.

[@peggyisme]

@@gordbaker896 not with the person in them

[@gordbaker896]

@@peggyisme There may not be time to lift them over the step in the Chair..

[@colorado841]

Poorly built hurricane structure. The concrete on the edge of the roof broke off. Door got dented. Vents came out. 2 out of 5 stars.

[@SteveKasian]

What a dolt; Doesn't even know that it's not a "hurricane structure." lololz People's stupidity never ceases to amaze and sadden me.

[@colorado841]

@@SteveKasian /whoosh

[@SteveKasian]

@@colorado841

[@colorado841]

@@SteveKasian actually its something called 'humor'. Better run it is contagious.

[@SteveKasian]

@@colorado841 Hahahahahahahaha!!!!! Too late! Hahahahahahahah!!!!!!

[@sighpocket5]

Nice!!!!

[@juansifuentes2423]

Where can I find a storm proof door?

[@plainwornout3964]

On a shelter.

[@taylorwoodward5869]

You're just wanting a storm door? You can get them at amy local hardware store like Lowe's, Home Depot, Menards, etc.

[@Norebx]

omg.....Wow

[@ArsPraestigium]

Wow.

[@daleolson3506]

Hold your phone the other way

[@rafajardon6126]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@bparsons72007]

Saved people's lives didn't it......any structure is better than a cheaply built mobile home. And yes, all mobile homes are crap.

[@Bfoots1952]

How much does this unit cost?

[@Safesheds]

The 8' x 10' shelter is priced at $5,250.

[@BreakerBocks]

Now that’s how you sell a product

[@egyptian_thoth]

I understand there is a need to sell things, but for some reason, I'm not sure I'm sold on the validity of this story. Yes, you used a very "honest" sounding individual who also sounds like she'd connect with anyone. But when I went to the Safe Shed Inc website, the exact same story is on the website like a selling point. Quite cheesy and it also piqued my interest. I know you have a picture of a truck that supposedly hit the shed and was bent up. You also had the damage left by the truck on the shed, but without seeing the two together...it's hard to believe. My thinking is that if a family of 7 survived this, the first thing they would have done is taken a picture of that truck folded on the safe shed because that's what people do. They take pics of everything. Why aren't any pics by the family or by anyone showing that truck folded onto the shed? That makes me not believe this story and that it's only a marketing sham.

[@peggyisme]

You ever been in a tornado? She also explains that it did not stay attached.

[@safeshedssales5046]

Good morning, and thank you for your comment. You're more than welcome to visit our facility in Salem and see the shelter for yourself. And thanks for saying I am honest sounding and can connect with anyone. When you visit to see the shelter, I'll take you to lunch.

[@frenchonion4595]

How the hell are they gonna open the door with the damn truck still on it

[@jeffkardosjr.3825]

Apparently another shelter of this design survived a tornado here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpvcpHWaeMiaeqMsi=kIcJ2HM8E1p95k8I

[@kwslife116]

tiniest little bubble? meanwhile the L bracket is bent 4 inches above it. while I do believe it held up just fine, why lie to us?

[@tvviewer4500]

This woman knows how to click bait and switch.

[@beadladee]

They should have kept this shelter. It’s proven it’s structurally sound.

[@Blowingmind]

Wait where did the pickup truck get folded in half? I didn't know if she said it enough times for the people in the back to hear

[@KrustyKlown]

I'd get an inground shelter, so I can drown and be trapped by debris... lol.

[@zebsolaria4763]

you bear a striking resemblance to Jamie Lee Curtis.

[@sandydennylives1392]

Valley storm for the win; here no central pillar going twenty miles deep and thicker than your wrist made of carbon steel, no huge reinforced carbon steel x3 or 4 bolts down the door, no hinge to stop it blowing outwards at the top of the door, but otherwise a fine no 2, and it did it's job.

[@corysnose9322]

i know this sounds weird but i want to see a tornado

[@PEDERSTEENBERG-nv2id]

Alla borde ha en

[@tvviewer4500]

"That" not "Then" Please remove my click.

[@Critical-Thinker895]

I'm sorry but this video is off limits to KZbin critics. Please move on to the next video. Thank you.

[@tvviewer4500]

@@Critical-Thinker895 You don't SPEAK for KZbin!!

[@Critical-Thinker895]

@@tvviewer4500 Move along, nothing to see here folks.

[@frenchonion4595]

The amount of idiotic comments on here 😂

[@darrin81128112]

I guarantee you that the floor needs to be scrubbed its covered in human fecies and dog fecies EF4 it should also smell like pee 😀😀😀😀 just saying if i was in a ef4 it would be covered in pee and poop lol

[@Safesheds]

Thank you for your comment. You are welcome to come and see the shelter in person at our manufacturing facility in Salem, Illinois. Although there is some dirt on the walls that came from the personal belongings they were able to salvage and store in the shelter until they were able to rebuild, the floors are clean. This was not the family's first tornado, having had a very near miss the year before, but it was the first one in which they took a direct hit.

[@Z-Ack]

Thing looks nice., until you get some damn squatter homeless junkies call it home..

[@thenoobwith_mr.hollyblue4349]

I think this was a lie But it may be true

[@Safesheds]

Thanks for your comment, Rockstar Freddy! The shelter is sitting on our lot in Illinois...come to visit and see it for yourself. And the photos taken by the couple who owned the shelter, and survived the EF4, are available on our web site. It's true. Not a lie. Have a great day!

[@aaronkeener95]

Door opens the wrong way.

[@barb4255]

Wow