What to put in storm shelter?

[m1gunner]

I think the OP has it about right. A 6x8 shelter is NOT something you're going to use for more than shelter for an hour or so. I wouldn't even bother with the jack. I've worked tornado SAR and in the very, very unlikely event you'd be trapped in the shelter, the rescue folks are going to be there in an hour or so anyway. A cellphone...preferably a smartphone with weather/radar app, or at least a WX radio; lights, water, maybe a potty. That's all you're going to need in tornado country.

I know the plan is rescue folks are there before it stops raining. But, in a large outbreak with a large area laid waste, it could be days before all areas are checked, and cell towers are the first comm link knocked out.

I would never go into a burial crypt without a way to get myself out, waiting on luck and others to save me is not a plan I would trust.

 

[Alpo]

geoff40, you aware bleach has a shelf life? After a year, at the outside, it had changed to salt water.

Shelf Life of Clorox Bleach | Dr. Laundry

 

[geoff40]

geoff40, you aware bleach has a shelf life? After a year, at the outside, it had changed to salt water.

Shelf Life of Clorox Bleach | Dr. Laundry

Yep. I renew the supply every so often, like some other things I keep around.

 

[bummer]

how many people are going to use this shelter?

 

[Goldstar225]

Where I live (central Arkansas) I've had to shelter in my "fraidy hole" a few times a year. Generally the tornado passes within an hour. I keep some chairs, lights and a deck of cards. When I go I take a portable safe with my essential papers and cell phone.

I really need to stock a couple of changes of clothing for each person in the shelter. The house and contents may be scattered across the county with only the foundation left. A change of clothes will be nice until I can arrange alternate living quarters and hit the stores.

 

[CW Spook]

In your home, not your shelter, you want a SAME-coded NOAA weather radio and a working scanner covering your local LE/fire/emergency management frequencies. With those working, you'll be aware of a threat long before it emerges. Once the call goes out for weather spotters you can either do like I do...go to work...or else just stay close the the radio and computer monitoring the radar. By not heading to the shelter until it's really necessary, all you really need down there is a good bottle of scotch and a big bag of potato chips. If you had the good sense to place your shelter at the SW corner of your house you probably don't have to worry about the house collapsing onto you either. Simplicity rules...