Shelter

[MadMamaBear]

Thinking of putting in a shelter. I've researched a bunch of different possibilities, however I cannot seem to find a general consensus on how to counteract the high water table in my area. Any thoughts?

 

[DrHenley]

A lot of people build shelters in areas of high water tables. What exactly are you concerned about? You don't want to build underground, if that's what you mean.

 

[MadMamaBear]

That's what I'm wanting, at least partly underground. I live in Tornado Alley, so a basic shelter partly underground would be better than any above ground shelter.

 

[jimLE]

I've heard of ppl building the shelters above ground.then cover it with soil.leaveing the door not covered.only.

 

[jontte]

you just have to make the bottom part waterproof,even more than the top part,

this one is made out of cinderblocks,cover that with earth and you should be ok.

 

[DrHenley]

I have a friend in Oklahoma City that has an above ground shelter in his back yard. It will withstand an EF5.

 

[MadMamaBear]

I appreciate all the info. I continue gathering all the info before deciding.

 

[KateMTx]

Like the others are suggesting, I would look into a shelter that's not technically below the ground level, even though you cover it with earth by making a hill over it. It can be sunken a few feet but then you have to be very careful to water-proof everything well. With tornadoes obviously you want it as low to the ground as possible, and a very solid support structure as well. But this is good thinking because I know of people who have built underground shelters but then they flood every time it rains. If there is a tornado, they won't be able to use them without drowning.

 

[TexasFreedom]

It's not hard. Put a waterproof coat on the outside. Put some stone against the exterior wall to let wall drain downward. Add a sump-pump inside. You can waterproof coat the inside as well if needed. If possible, build on a hillside to allow drainage.