tornado horn yesterday...my virgin ears.. questions

[JJFII]

I have lived all over the world and even in places where tornadoes occur, but yesterday was the first time my wife and I ever heard a tornado warning horn. My wife yells down to me, "Is that what I think it is?" my reply, "Its either a tornado warning or Bears on bombing approach." She said, "wat" I said "never mind"

So the next 20 minutes are spent getting my earthquake kit set up for tornado kit. I have some questions.. Google had mixed answers.

1- is there a "safer" spot in a basement?
2- is 282.8 and 243.0 monitored by anyone near Indianapolis?
3- in the 2 months we have lived in this house we have lost power 4 times... are there any kits that allow the use of a propane generator to vent exhaust outside? or do I have to make my own system? are the "sport generators" good for all day use?
4- are there any back up generators that are; propane, natural gas and gasoline? Trying to cover all aspects and be cost effective. My plan right now is "have multiple generators on hand."

 

[eldirector]

Don't know enough to answer 2-4, but for #1 - corners, under structural components of the floor above. Obviously, away from windows and that "walk-out" basement door. However, make sure you have some sort of egress, should the house come down on you.

Lived here my whole life, and had several tornadoes go by "close enough", but I've never worried TOO much. Water, snacks, and my 3-day bag are enough for me. If the house is hit, we will be leaving for quite a while.

 

[deo62]

#4-generac makes nice natural gas backup generators.

 

[JJFII]

Don't know enough to answer 2-4, but for #1 - corners, under structural components of the floor above. Obviously, away from windows and that "walk-out" basement door. However, make sure you have some sort of egress, should the house come down on you.

Lived here my whole life, and had several tornadoes go by "close enough", but I've never worried TOO much. Water, snacks, and my 3-day bag are enough for me. If the house is hit, we will be leaving for quite a while.

I have a 2ft wide, 8ft long and 5ft high area that housed the old well access. It seems pretty secure from stuff above. Its on or part of the foundation wall North side. If the house came down, there are windows on all four sides, but its a gamble which will be available to us. We have no walk out door, the basement access is in the middle of the house.

#2- I'm going to invest in new comm gear...my old PRC-90 isnt gonna cut it. While Military will be in the area after a natural disaster and they will be on those channels, I'd prefer to stay on current civilian use channels.

Thank you

 

[JJFII]

#4-generac makes nice natural gas backup generators.

thank you.

 

[rebarguyindy]

Depending on the layout of the basement, the stairs are usually one of the strongest structures of the house. You could reinforce the stairs with additional supports and maybe screw on some plywood siding. Although anything is possible in a sever tornado, it is probably more likely that the house will be partially or completely removed from the ground floor/foundation. The chances of the house collapsing into the basement are probably slim but multiple escape routes should still be a priority.

 

[actaeon277]

A basement is where all the debris from the house fall.
You'd need to strengthen one area, and have access to an exit.
And tools, to help break/dig your way out.

 

[actaeon277]

 

[snorko]

Like others have said, corners in basements. In mine, one particular corner has driveway paving on both outside walls and it is farthest from any large trees which could fall on the house and crush the structure. I have a sturdy work table in that corner which should prevent any serious injury from debris if there were a collapse. My house has weird masonry construction though, outside in cement stucco, clay tile block, thick plaster - no exterior wall voids, and is extra tornado safe. Kinda ballistic safe as well

 

[fullmetaljesus]

Fyi, it's not always a tornado siren. It's a severe weather siren.

 

[snorko]

Fyi, it's not always a tornado siren. It's a severe weather siren.

I meant to add, check with the county about the siren's meanings. In Evansville, they have three or four different ones. Traditional "air raid" style is severe weather/tornado. Same repeats for all clear. Long continuous note is test - done every Friday at Noon. And IIRC short repeated blasts at the same pitch indicates chemical-gas-etc.

 

[woowoo2]

You could go a little overboard like I did...
https://www.safesheds.com/tornado-s...MI-rnd5qGL3QIVjrrACh26fAYdEAAYASAAEgKFbfD_BwE
https://www.safesheds.com/photos.html

 

[actaeon277]

You could go a little overboard like I did...
https://www.safesheds.com/tornado-s...MI-rnd5qGL3QIVjrrACh26fAYdEAAYASAAEgKFbfD_BwE
https://www.safesheds.com/photos.html

I don't think it's overboard.
I've been thinking about something similar.

 

[churchmouse]

#4-generac makes nice natural gas backup generators.

If a serious Tornado rips up the area I would not put my eggs in a Natural gas back up genny basket.

 

[actaeon277]

You could go a little overboard like I did...
https://www.safesheds.com/tornado-s...MI-rnd5qGL3QIVjrrACh26fAYdEAAYASAAEgKFbfD_BwE
https://www.safesheds.com/photos.html

One problem I have with those is the outward opening door.

 

[Cameramonkey]

Curious where you are from originally, OP? Surprised you've never heard a storm siren.

One problem I have with those is the outward opening door.

Just include one of these in your supplies in the shed and you can get out in no time.

 

[actaeon277]

Curious where you are from originally, OP? Surprised you've never heard a storm siren.



Just include one of these in your supplies in the shed and you can get out in no time.

Gonna have to be bigger than the ones I've seen.

 

[Cameramonkey]

Gonna have to be bigger than the ones I've seen.

OK, so it could take you a little while...

 

[K_W]

I have lived all over the world and even in places where tornadoes occur, but yesterday was the first time my wife and I ever heard a tornado warning horn. My wife yells down to me, "Is that what I think it is?" my reply, "Its either a tornado warning or Bears on bombing approach." She said, "wat" I said "never mind"

So the next 20 minutes are spent getting my earthquake kit set up for tornado kit. I have some questions.. Google had mixed answers.

1- is there a "safer" spot in a basement?
2- is 282.8 and 243.0 monitored by anyone near Indianapolis?
3- in the 2 months we have lived in this house we have lost power 4 times... are there any kits that allow the use of a propane generator to vent exhaust outside? or do I have to make my own system? are the "sport generators" good for all day use?
4- are there any back up generators that are; propane, natural gas and gasoline? Trying to cover all aspects and be cost effective. My plan right now is "have multiple generators on hand."

1. Depends on direction of winds... most "straightline" winds come from west so west side would be best. Tornado winds change as it passes.

 

[actaeon277]

OK, so it could take you a little while...

I think it's a matter of "torque".

That steel in the shelter is hopefully stronger than a can.