Increasing Use of Storm Shelters Reported for Gulf Coast States

Tropical storm Isaac flooded Haiti with heavy rains on its path through the Atlantic and Caribbean, and is expected to hit Gulf Coast states this week. While it is impossible to completely safeguard oneself from a catastrophic event, there are a few things that individuals can do to increase the likelihood that they survive, for instance by having a safe room or storm shelter built.

USA Today reported this week on the increasing use of storm shelters and safe rooms as a way to save lives during tornados and hurricanes. The last two years of tragic, record-setting storms has led to increased emphasis on adopting disaster resilient construction initiatives such as community "safe rooms" with the objective of reducing human losses from natural hazards.

FEMA provides many examples of how safe rooms save lives. One example came last year when severe storms and tornadoes raked parts of Alabama. Well over 100 people gathered inside a Maplesville shelter built in 2005 with FEMA and state funding to escape the storm. Despite cosmetic damage to the shelter, no one inside reported any injuries.