Storm shelter test

[Dave Gallaher]

http://blog.al.com/breaking/2012/08/tornado_shelter_withstands_spe.html

It'd be interesting to hear opinions from Tim Marshall and other experienced damage inspectors on this.

 

[rdale]

Nice setup! Probably not worth the cost involved for most. The shelter industry is still reeling from a TV weathercaster in OKC who did them harm with his "if you aren't under ground you will die" comment years ago...

 

[James Hilger]

If one can throw a million pound oil rig off it's property like last year, I wouldn't want to try one.

 

[Joshua Nall]

It looks stout, but I don't think these statements here in bold are true... ""We found out we far exceed anyting that can happen from a direct hit from an F-5 tornado," Guyse said. "We threw everything at it possible and there is virtually no damage."

What's the maximum speed a vehicle could reach inside an F5 tornado? You would have to first estimate that, then ram the car into it at that speed. Then estimate the speed of say a big rig diesel truck and try that. If it survived these impacts the above statements would be closer to being true, and I might get in it with an F5 coming. It would probably ride out lesser tornadoes no problem.

 

[Keith Wilson]

600 mph winds? Would that be an EF-6?

Seriously though, I wouldn't hesitate to get in it if an EF-5 was to sneak up on me and there was no time to get out of it's path. Of course, I would first check the neighborhood for diesel tankers

There are no guarantees in an EF-5, though. It would certainly be better than being in the bathtub with a mattress over you.