Looking at putting an above ground storm shelter in the Barndo, since we are in central Texas and had one come through our place last year.

A small 4-6 person is what we are aiming for. Above ground (for various reasons).

Here's a concrete one for about $10k out of west Texas.
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5cc891557d0c9129e4a2bdd8/t/5ec717452827cc6f33c909db/1590105926052/vcp-ss-3060-ag-rev2-no+pricing.pdf

Here's a steel one for about $7k out of Tennessee.
https://www.nationalstormshelters.com/product/above-ground-safe-room-4-x-6/

Any thoughts or recs?

At the ranch in Texas we had a concrete below ground room that was under my garage. Here in the Ozarks we have a concrete one that is under the basement.
I don't have any experience with above ground ones.
Might page 87Flyfisher on here. Think he has one that he just did in above ground. Like me he has been using it quite often this year!

https://www.familysafeshelters.com/

This is one brand we are very seriously considering for exact same application as OP. Proven brand in actual tornados

After much research, we ended up getting a Twister Pod aboveground shelter from Survive-A-Storm back in December 2021. We ordered directly from them. Delivery and installation were a breeze.
https://survive-a-storm.com/residential-storm-shelters/twisterpod/

Worth every penny for the peace of mind and it has been put to use more this year than in the previous years we have had it combined.
We're located in northwest Tennessee.

I would listen to 87Flyfisher. He and his wife lived through an F3 last year and we both saw scenes like this 8 weeks ago not far from our houses. We had the F4 4 miles from us.
Building " man caves" is one thing but living through something like this is a serious matter.

You don't want to build a safe room/tornado shelter with an electric supply panel in it, as was suggested in another thread.
When we are under a tornado warning here, and tornadoes are actually on the ground, the local news channels and weather alerts will actually tell you that if a hit seems imminent to, if possible, turn off your main electrical supply and shut off gas lines if applicable.
If hit, your gas lines are going to probably be burst and wiring is going to be shorted and destroyed.
There are instances of the houses and rubble piles catching fire from this. Not good to be trapped in a safe room with fire, smoke and gas all around you.
Our house was designed with the main gas cut off, main water cut offs, and main electric panels within our basement outside walls that are concrete. I can easily access the gas, water, and electric mains for quick shutdown…..and if actually hit by a tornado our gas, water, and main electric lines from our power pole, are in the ground over 6' and won't be exposed.

TXAG 05 said:

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How many people can fit in that box?

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Looks like the smallest models hold 2-3 people with others holding up to 155-258. I'd say they have a model that suits just about anyone. My safe room was 8x8 with 18" concrete walls and a safe door. The house itseld has 14" pure limestone walls. Only one way in or out which is bad, but I am claustrophobic and discounted that safe room in the pictures. But, based on the models, that is not a valid complaint. They have ample room.

We've put in-ground storm shelters in the garage of our last two homes (2015 & 2021). Glad to have them. One thing to look for is if there's a shelter rebate program in your area. In both cases, they chipped in $3k for our installs. May be a long shot with some of the ongoing DOGE efforts, but worth researching. Our local program doesn't currently have any money, but it's always been cyclical.

I am putting this in a barndo for one of my customers

https://www.texasstormshelter.com/in-closet-storm-shelters

Which model did you get, 87? I live in the Little Rock area and am considering installing an above-ground shelter.

87Flyfisher said:

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I bought one from Tornado Alley Armor after our house was hit by a F3 tornado last year. I was very happy with the options and service.

https://tornadoalley.com

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I bet I know where you use that boat!!!

Thanks. Why did you choose them over a zillion other manufacturers, including several in AR? I'm asking because I'm overwhelmed by the number of manufacturers, all of whom are claiming theirs is the best.

Gunny, do you have local weather mets that cover your area? We have lots here in Little Rock that do a phenomenal job during big weather days. What I especially like about them is that they do their own analysis and don't simply parrot the SPC or NWS. Sometimes they say that they think it won't be as bad as predicted and other times worse. And sometimes they're just wrong, but not for lack of trying.

Even with all of the warnings, sometimes a tornado just drops down on you for the first time. There's no real way to warn of that, I don't suppose.

Tornado watch expired so I'm hitting my whiskey collection. North of us had a really bad day. I'll be back on duty tomorrow.

We got a couple showers and tad hail and wind. Nothing else. Have a good evening my friend. Appreciate you watching out for us!

We may all be in the same line of fire.

Wondering if a piece of steel pipe with one end starting inside at the wall and the rest outside would be a good shelter. I've always heard to get inside a culvert pipe if one is big enough outdoors.

Thinking 1/2 inch wall, 48 or 60 inch diameter and 20 feet long and anchored. I think I'd prefer that to the metal boxes pictured above.

Gunny456 said:

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After the tornado that hit 87Flyfisher almost a year ago, the tornado that killed 6 that was within 3 miles of our house 6 weeks ago, and looking at the damage from yesterday…… you may think you are prepared, but when you see this you realize you are not.

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Gunny, are you saying that a tornado shelter is inadequate prep? What would adequate prep look like to you?

Not really talking about the shelter but the shelter construction and type and effectiveness is certainly important.
Some folks in our area that were hit by the F4 a month ago had a tornado shelter but it failed to keep them from injury.
So folks, if they are going to buy or build a storm shelter, should make absolutely sure it will hold up to a major tornado. This should be your top priority…. not how good a man cave it will be.
But just as important is to prepare for the "before" and "after" the tornado. What to do if a tornado is imminent and the things you should do like cutting the power, water and gas off if possible. Having a plan with someone
not close to your house that will be made aware that you will be in the shelter in case you are trapped there.
Having tools to dig out with, food and water for a day or so…..a sufficient first aid kit to deal with major injuries, etc.
Then the "after". Phone numbers and documents for identification and insurance contacts and who to reach out to for immediate housing and help. And for being mentally prepared as much as possible for the destruction and devastation and death that you might see or experience.

Roger that. You're not that far from us. Ever up our way, holler at us. I'll buy supper or lunch. If ever need any help give us a shout.

Gunny456 said:

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Roger that. You're not that far from us. Ever up our way, holler at us. I'll buy supper or lunch. If ever need any help give us a shout.

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Thanks. And vice versa.