How to Build a Hurricane Shelter

Learning how to build a hurricane shelter is vital if you live in a hurricane prone area. In many situations you will not have time to leave safely. The best option for many homeowners is to utilize a pre-existing room, such as a basement, for the hurricane shelter. This guide will assume that a pre-existing basement can be used to build a hurricane shelter.

Step 1 - Design the Hurricane Shelter

Design the hurricane shelter using the graph paper, ruler, and pencil. Measure the walls and check the measurements in the pre-existing room by marking them off on the floor and wall. The idea is to make sure that what you have on paper can actually be put to use before you buy materials.

Step 2 - Build the Walls of the Hurricane Shelter

Working with the hurricane shelter design that you have created, begin building the walls. You will need to use the hurricane clips to reinforce and attach walls to the floor, ceiling, and pre-existing room wall. Hurricane clips can be purchased at hardware stores and through specialty services offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Red Cross.

Step 3 - Reinforce the Outer Hurricane Shelter Wall

Reinforce the walls of your hurricane shelter by using masonry and cement. Make sure that the masonry you use is conditioned for storms and high winds. You will need to allow the masonry walls and cement to dry for at least twenty four hours to ensure stability.

Step 4 - Reinforce the Inside of the Hurricane Shelter

You may choose to the skip this step, however, there are many cities and states that require the inside of the hurricane shelter be reinforced. Use the Sheetrock and nail gun to line the shelter walls. It doesn't have to be perfect or attractive. It is there to be an additional barrier between you, your family, and the storm.

Step 5 - Attach the Door

Many hardware stores now carry hurricane proof doors. You will want to use one of these for your hurricane shelter doorway. The door will attach to the hurricane shelter wall with a door hardware kit. Instructions for attaching the door to the hurricane shelter frame will come with the kit.

Step 6 - Stock the Hurricane Shelter

When you shelter is complete you will need to stock the shelter with food, water, and other hurricane supplies. You will also want to make sure that you have plenty of candles, a hand crank radio, canned or MRE food packets, blankets, and alternative lighting such as hand crank camping lanterns. Use the shelving units to store all of your hurricane shelter items.

Before you build the hurricane shelter you will need to check with the local government offices to make sure you hurricane shelter meets standard codes. Certain building permits may be required.