Do you want a FREE Safe Room??

Do you want a FREE Safe Room??

 

 

F5 Storm Shelters is again partnering with AAA and The Sports Animal to give one lucky winner a free above ground safe room. Registration is easy, just follow the link below and enter some basic information like Name, Address, Email, and Date of Birth for your chance to win. Want to better your odds at winning? You can register for the drawing once a day for the next month! The more you enter, the better chance you have at winning! It’s that simple.

This giveaway is for one of out 4×4 size above ground safe rooms. This specific storm shelter can hold 4-6 people easily. These are really good options for elderly people who maybe can’t get down steps very easily or people in wheelchairs. Think of them like steel closets. All you have to do is open the door and walk inside. How easy is that?

Our above ground storm shelters are the best in Oklahoma. We don’t just do the bare minimum like most companies. We try to exceed FEMA guidelines by 50%  during every aspect of the fabrication process. This means thicker steel, more ventilation cut outs, more anchor bolts anchoring the shelter into your slab,  more bolts securing the door, and an interior designed skeleton support system for more protection from flying debri. Our safe rooms have also received a passing grade from Texas Tech University’s Wind Institute in Lubbock, Texas. Nobody has ever been injured or killed in an above ground unit that has received a passing grade from this institution and either meets or exceeds FEMA guidelines, which ours easily exceeds.

Hurry up and register for your chance to win the best above ground storm shelter on the market! Don’t forget to come back daily. One vote per day per person. Contest ends on October 12th, 2015. Good luck!

 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

 

storm shelter, safe room

Above ground storm shelter

How to Make Sure You Are Never Trapped Inside of Your Storm Shelter

How to Make Sure You Are Never Trapped Inside of Your Storm Shelter

A lot of people in Oklahoma are scared of tornadoes, and for good reason. The power and force can level houses from their slab in just seconds. One quick thought though, where does all that debri go? It doesn’t just disappear. What happens if I am inside my storm shelter and items thrown from the tornado have fallen on top of it? Will I be trapped inside?? The thought of being trapped inside of a storm shelter for an extended period of time is sometimes a more scary thought then the tornado itself.  Can this type of thing really happen? What are the chances I would ever be trapped inside of my storm shelter? First thing you always need to remember is that almost anything is possible during a tornado. All you can do is make sure your family is as prepared as possible for whenever severe weather strikes. Although it is possible for debri to smash into the lids of your shelter, limiting you from being able to open it, the chances of this happening are very small. Even though the chances are small, we wanted to give you a list of things you can do to help prevent ever being trapped inside of your storm shelter.

 

prevent being trapped inside a storm shelter

You need a storm shelter in oklahoma

 

1. Keep your complimentary come along jack inside your storm shelter

At F5 Storm Shelters , we supply every storm shelter we install with a 2 ton come along jack. You can use this to help pull the front lid open in case there are heavy objects covering the top of the lids, or an object has hit the lids, denting the min, limiting you from being able to manually open the lid. This should be inside your shelter at all times. If you have trouble using it, there should be an instruction pamphlet inside the box the jack comes in. You can also pull up different videos on Youtube. Make sure you know how to use the jack before you actually have to use the jack. Sounds obvious, but alot of people just put the thing in the shelter and never look at it again until seeking shelter sometime in the future.

 

2. Let friends and family know you have a storm shelter and where it’s located

The more people that know where you are the better. If there is a tornado in your area, chances are some of your friends or family are going to know you live close by. In the event of being trapped inside the storm shelter, the more people that know where you are the better. Make sure your neighbors know you have a shelter as well and if they don’t have their own storm shelter, be kind and let them know where they can buy one ; )

 

3. Keep your car parked on top of the shelter

The underground garage storm shelters are designed so that you can park a car on top of them and still have enough room to be able to get inside them without having to back the car out of the garage. The primary reason this important is because it limits you from having to move your car during the tornado. Also, if a tornado doesn’t hit your exact location, it could still hail and who wants to pay a $500 or $1000 deductible for no reason? With the car being parked over the storm shelter, this helps acts as a shield. All the debri that would fall on top of the storm shelter will instead fall on top of the car and fall off the sides. This should allow you room to get out of your shelter in the event of a direct hit.

 

4. Register your storm shelter!

Most people that get a storm shelter installed at their property have to file for a permit with their city. After the shelter is installed, you should be able to call a number listed on the permit to register your storm shelter. This makes sure that in case of a direct hit, first responders will know where you are and will be checking in with you to make sure you are ok. If you live outside of city limits or in a place that doesn’t require a permit for a storm shelter installation, you can call your closest fire department. Usually they can register the shelter for you at no charge.

 

Don’t let claustrophobia or the fear of being trapped limit you from having a storm shelter. Tornado shelters have saved thousands of lives and are a necessity for anybody living in Oklahoma. Although Tornadoes are very destructive and unpredictable, it is very unlikely that you will ever be trapped inside of one. If you have any questions about this topic, don’t hesitate to give us a call. WE would love to help you feel more at ease.

 

F5 Storm Shelters  OKC 16524 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Edmond, Ok 73012 (405) 824-7209

Tulsa 10846 S. Memorial Dr. Tulsa, Ok 74133 (918) 970-4770

Stay Alive, Call F5!

Oklahoma Indian Nation Storm Shelter Rebate Programs

Oklahoma Indian Nation Storm Shelter Rebate Programs

If you have recently won funding through your tribe for a storm shelter installation then we are here to tell you that F5 Storm Shelters is a qualified to be your vendor. All of our storm shelters and safe rooms either meet or exceed FEMA guidelines and have scored a passing grade at Texas Tech’s Wind Institute in Lubbock Texas. Please see below for more information on some of the existing storm shelter rebate programs that tribes across the state are currently offering. If you don’t see your tribe listed please contact your housing authority for more information. They should be able to assist you.

 

The Choctaw Nation – Currently offering up to $2,500 towards any underground storm shelter purchase as well as a safe room grant of $4200 for qualified applicants.

The program provides a grant for storm shelters to Choctaw Tribal Members who live in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas, which are states with a high risk of tornadoes. You must be 65 years old or older, or, you must have a documented ambulatory disability- Means a disability of which a person has a physical and permanent disability to such a degree that they require the use of a wheelchair; is not able to cross curbs because of paralysis or loss of function of the person’s legs; is missing one or both legs; or has a permanently impaired or unsteady gait that makes it impossible or impractical to walk as a means of transportation.

The Storm Shelter Program is administered through the Housing Authority of the Choctaw Nation. Choctaw Nation Storm Shelter Grant Program is dependent upon availability of funds. Storm shelters shall be provided as grants for eligible applicants who meet the qualifications. A grant in the amount of up to $4,200 for above ground shelters, with payment being made to the Choctaw Tribal Member and Tornado Alley Armor Safe Rooms.

In order to qualify you must reside in the home and hold title to the dwelling. Title must be recorded for ownership. Applicants who are participating in the Mutual Help Program are eligible. An individual may only have one primary residence.

If you qualify contact the Choctaw Nation Housing Authority toll free at 1-800-235-3087 for more information.

 

The Chickasaw Nation –  Currently offering up to $2,500 towards the installation of any storm shelter.

F5 Storm Shelters is a proud supporter of the Chickasaw Nation’s storm shelter rebate program and all of our shelters qualify for the funding.  For Chickasaw citizens, grants will be provided for up to $2,500 for installation of storm shelters. This service is available both inside and outside the Chickasaw Nation’s boundaries.  An applicant can expect to find out within 10 business days if he/she qualifies to be placed on the waiting list. You can call 580-421-8800 for more information.

You Provide: CDIB/Citizenship Card for applicant, Social Security cards of all household members, Income verification of all household members, and a copy of warranty deed.

Eligibility: Must be Chickasaw Citizen, No outstanding debt owed to the housing division or to the Chickasaw Nation, Home must be the applicant’s primary residence, Storm shelters are awarded one time only to each family in order to meet the needs of all Chickasaws.

The Muscogee (Creek) Nation –  Currently offering up to $5,000 towards a storm shelter purchase.

Muscogee (Creek) Nation offers a Natural Disaster Program which provides assistance to enrolled Creek citizens who have experienced a tornado. Maximum benefit is $5000 and it will provide for emergency shelter costs. Assistance amount varies based on the severity of the event and insurance coverage available.

Documentation required:

  • Copy of citizenship cards for all household members or a printout out from the Citizenship Office.
  • Copy of social security cards for all household members.
  • Copy of birth certificate and/or driver licenses for non-Indian household members.
  • Resident verification (lease agreement, mail dated within 30 days from date of tornado, etc.).
  • Copy of fire report.
  • Pictures of damage.
  • Documentation of insurance available and/or lack of insurance.
  • Additional information may be required to determine eligibility.

You can find more information on the Muscogee (Creek) Nation website.

 

These are the tribes that we have confirmed are currently offering rebate programs for their citizens. If your tribe is not on this list, it does not mean that they are not offering any type of funding. It only means that we have not got any type of information that can confirm they are currently offering rebates. Contact the Housing Authority for your tribe for more information regarding this topic. As always, Stay Alive, Call F5!

 

A New Underground Storm Shelter From F5

A New Underground Storm Shelter From F5

 

 

Tornadoes: Fact vs Fiction

Tornadoes: Fact vs Fiction

Tornadoes are one of Mother Nature’s mysterious creations. Over the last 50 years, we have learned a lot about how they form and when they are likely to occur, but there are still a lot of misconceptions out there. We wanted to try and help separate the facts from all the fiction. Let’s start:

 

Fact or Fiction?  When the sirens start going off signaling a tornado warning in your area, the first thing you should do is open all the windows in your house to help equalize the pressure?

This sounds good in theory and I’m sure we were all taught this growing up but it is completely fiction. The first thing you should do when sirens are going off in your area is round up your family and take cover inside a storm shelter. If you don’t have a storm shelter (We know a pretty good place where you can purchase one ; ) then find an area in the middle of the house and cover yourselves with blankets. Opening windows only wastes time and in these situations, time is of the essence.

Fact or Fiction?  Rivers located around a city offer protection from tornadoes?

This is a common belief in the NE part of Oklahoma, especially the Tulsa area. However, it is pure fiction. A significant sized tornado has passed through pretty much every major river located East of the Rocky Mountains. The tornado that touched down in Sand Springs, just outside of Tulsa, on March 25th, 2015, crossed the Arkansas river twice!

Fact or Fiction? Tornadoes can form in the middle of the night?

As scary as this is, it is a fact. There is no set time of the day or even year when tornadoes can form. Many tornadoes have wrecked havoc during the night time hours, however the likelihood is lower then during the day. In Oklahoma, you need to always remember that we can have tornadoes anytime. Statistically, we have had them touch down every month of the year and all times of the day. It is always smart to be weather cautious.

Fact or Fiction? Tornadoes can pick up items at one location and set them down miles away undamaged?

This is technically Fact, however, the chances of it happening are very unlikely. There have been several occurrences where people have documented items or even other people as being picked up by a tornado, only to be released a great distance away without harm. You have to remember that during a tornado there is going to be a heavy amount of debris and with that comes increased chances of collision. It can and has happened, but it definitely isn’t common.

Fact or Fiction? It is impossible for tornadoes to form in the mountains!

Similar to the myth that tornadoes can’t cross riverbeds, this is total fiction! Tornadoes have been documented in Appalachians, Rockies, and Sierra Nevadas. Tornado destruction has also been reported in areas above 10,000 feet. In 1987, a tornado rated as an F-4 crossed the Continental Divide in Yellowstone National Park. This area can reach heights of 13,000 feet above sea level!

Fact or Fiction? My car can outrace a tornado.

Fiction. Tornadoes can move over 70 mph on the ground and they are extremely unpredictable. It is not uncommon for a tornado to all of a sudden shift directions. You do not want to be on the roads during a severe tornado. Seek cover in your storm shelter or safe room.

Fact or Fiction?  The SW corner of a building offers more protection from tornadoes?

Fiction. The safest area of your home will always be inside your storm shelter. If you don’t have one, then get as many walls between you and the storm as you can. Generally, you want to be inside a small room or closet towards the middle of the house on the lowest floor.

Fact or Fiction? Most tornadoes that form are really big and destructive.

Fiction. Most tornadoes that for are only 50-100 feet in width, travel less then a mile, and stay on the ground only a few minutes or less. However, these types of tornadoes can still be deadly if they hit the right area. The highly feared EF4 and EF5 sized tornadoes are less then 5% of all reported touchdowns.

Fact or Fiction? Tornadic thunderstorms typically produce a lot more lightning and hail?

This is fact and the reason for it is because tornadic thunderstorms have more intense updrafts that can quickly amplify charge separation and electrical build up. The increased amount of lifting during these storms also tends to freeze layers of supercooled water drops.

Fact or Fiction? The United States is a tornado breeding ground and produces more of these storms then the rest of the world combined?

Even though it’s scary to think about, this is fact.  Three out of every four tornadoes that form throughout the world, touchdown in the United States. That means that 75% of all tornadoes are American. We average over 800 tornadoes a year. The state of Oklahoma alone averages 55 a year with 2015 giving us 98!!! Still think you don’t need a storm shelter??

 

 

 

 

Tornado: Fact vs. Fiction Oklahoma

Tornado: Fact vs. Fiction

 

 

F5 Storm Shelters 2015 Summer Savings Special!!!

F5 Storm Shelters 2015 Summer Savings Special!!!

Are you a recent transplant to the state of Oklahoma or a local that has been putting off purchasing a storm shelter the last few years because of costs? If so, you may benefit from F5 Storm Shelters’ Summer Savings Special. Right now, at both of our OKC and Tulsa locations, we are taking $200 off any underground garage storm shelter, above ground safe room, or outdoor storm cellar purchase. These are some of our lowest rates of the year and they are available to you and your family for the entire month of August. All you have to do it call or come by one of our showrooms, choose the storm shelter that is right for your family and mention you read about our Summer Savings discount on our website and we will subtract $200 from the total price! You can’t get much better then that.

Don’t wait until the Spring season when everybody in the state is trying to have a storm shelter installed for storm season, plan ahead and get your shelter installed now. Not only will you save a ton of money, but you also don’t have to worry about extremely long waiting lists and you can guarantee that your family will have the safety and piece of mind they need when they need it most, tornado season. We have staff on hand that are ready to answer all of your questions and show you all the shelters we have available. Financing is currently available through credit unions for as low as .75%!!!  Think ahead and call F5 Storm Shelters today!

 

F5 Storm Shelters OKC (405) 824-7209

Tulsa (918) 970-4770 Stay Alive, Call F5!

 

F5 Storm Shelters Oklahoma Summer Savings Special

F5 Storm Shelters Oklahoma Summer Savings Special