KATV Channel 7 - The Spirit of Arkansas: Storm Shelter Demand Up in Aftermath of Tornadoes

By Katherina-Marie Yancy

(KATV) What is on track to be one of the deadliest tornado seasons in U.S. history has created a bit of a gold rush for storm shelters.

The Images of foundation slabs and hearing the tragic stories of lives lost, people are fearful, but taking action. Companies are back-ordered for months with clients looking for protection from the next big twister.

Arkansas Tornado Shelters of Bryant has been overwhelmed with hundreds of calls, many from Joplin, Alabama and Oklahoma.

Linda Toll says, "Tornado companies, all of us are getting backed up."

Toll has been in the business 17 years, she says shelters are 98-percent affective and the best place to be when a tornado touches down is under ground.

She explains, "Some people will get in the bathtub, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Some people go in the basement, but houses can implode and explode."

The down side, many tornado shelter providers are back ordered about 4-weeks.

They cost $4,000 - $6,000, fit up to 15 people and can be installed in a few hours.

You have the option of an above ground safe room that can also be used as a panic room or a storm shelter. The most popular style is fiber glass, it has an easy assist door, gel coating like a bath tub, carpet, hand rails and seating. 

Toll's best advice, don't but for today, do your research and buy it for a lifetime.

She shakes her head, "I've done this a long time and they're getting worse, the tornadoes are getting worse."

There is $1,000 in assistance from the state, but there's a waiting list. Since 1999 Arkansas has given about 14-million dollars to more than 15,000 Arkansans.

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