Safe Room Question

happycat · ‎09-18-2010

I live in Arkansas, and we had at least one horrible tornado last night, about 40 miles from where I live. At last count, I believe 15 were killed, 2 of those children, horrible situation. On the news today, they told of a woman in a safe room, and said that the wall of it collapsed and that she was crushed to death. Another guy was just interviewed, and he said he and his family stayed in their safe room during the last tornado warning, but last night, they left and took shelter somewhere else, and he said it was a good thing because the safe room was gone.

Have any of you heard of this? I always thought safe rooms were safe.

Jannabelle · ‎03-09-2010

That is so sad, the woman thought she was safe....one thing I have heard is a good thing to do for kids and adults too for that matter, is to put on a bicycle helmet.

terrier3 · ‎03-10-2010

Unless you are in an underground bunker...I don't think even safe rooms are 100% safe, unfortunately.

It must be scary living with tornadoes!

I'll take blizzards any day over tornadoes or hurricanes.

LaterGator · ‎03-09-2010

Hi happycat. We also live in Arkansas but 90 miles away from where the tornados hit. We are fortunate in that we have a basement with a concrete room built in. It not only is concrete but it is underground so we do feel somewhat safe. Still, I don't think anyone is complete safe in a storm like that. I do agree that it would be a good idea to have some kind of a helmet or a mattress over yourself during the tornado no matter where you are. I feel so bad for the woman who was killed in her safe room. The last I heard is that 16 people were killed.

Is there a TV station collecting money for the victims of the storms in Arkansas that you know of? I thought I heard one early this morning but I can't be sure. We want the money to go directly to the victims.

It was tuff trying to sleep last night. I think I slept with one eye open and my ears alert for the sirens. Please stay safe.

happycat · ‎09-18-2010

On 4/28/2014 LaterGator said:
Hi happycat. We also live in Arkansas but 90 miles away from where the tornados hit. We are fortunate in that we have a basement with a concrete room built in. It not only is concrete but it is underground so we do feel somewhat safe. Still, I don't think anyone is complete safe in a storm like that. I do agree that it would be a good idea to have some kind of a helmet or a mattress over yourself during the tornado no matter where you are. I feel so bad for the woman who was killed in her safe room. The last I heard is that 16 people were killed.

Is there a TV station collecting money for the victims of the storms in Arkansas that you know of? I thought I heard one early this morning but I can't be sure. We want the money to go directly to the victims.

It was tuff trying to sleep last night. I think I slept with one eye open and my ears alert for the sirens. Please stay safe.

Hi LaterGator, you are very lucky to have a basement, with a concrete room. We do not have one, and my dh was wanting to put in a safe room, of course we don't have a good place for one anyway, he was wanting to put it in the garage, but after this he says we need to build a cellar. (I think we just need to move.)

I believe channel 7 is having their Spirit of 7 drive to collect money for the victims. Some of the other stations may be doing something as well, I'm not sure.

My dd had to go to Little Rock today for training for her job, and what usually takes us an hour and 15 minutes took her over 3 hours today. They said on the news a few minutes ago that the drive between Conway and Little rock was taking at least 2 hours, it should take 20 or 25 minutes. Just Crazy.

You know, it is just so scary. I have lived in Ark nearly my whole life, and while we have had tornadoes, they have not been this devastating. It seems like they are getting worse. And there are so many tornado warnings, where nothing happens, that I don't take them as seriously as I should.

In one family, a father and two daughters were killed. It is just hard to even imagine.

Preds · ‎12-17-2012

Above ground safe houses are not safe. Underground safe houses will not save you in a flood prone area. If a storm is headed your way, please use the safety lessons you have been told for years. Center of the house away from windows. In the bathtub with blankets on top of you. Closets that aren't on an outside wall. There is only so much you can do and if you know in advance, please get out of the area.

Fate whispers to her, "You cannot withstand the storm." She whispers back, "I am the storm."

happycat · ‎09-18-2010

On 4/28/2014 terrier3 said:
Unless you are in an underground bunker...I don't think even safe rooms are 100% safe, unfortunately.

It must be scary living with tornadoes!

I'll take blizzards any day over tornadoes or hurricanes.

Yeah, you know when the tornado hit Joplin Mo a few years ago, they said that is you were not underground, your chances of survival were not very high. I've never been in a blizzard, thank God.

happycat · ‎09-18-2010

On 4/28/2014 Jannabelle said:
That is so sad, the woman thought she was safe....one thing I have heard is a good thing to do for kids and adults too for that matter, is to put on a bicycle helmet.

It is sad, and to understand, I always thought the same thing.... that you would be safe in one. They said a while ago that this thing lasted 10 to 15 seconds. Unbelievable. The bicycle helmet is a very good idea.

sidsmom · ‎11-25-2011

I would think a water safety vest would be good to wear, if available. Any protection...also closed toe shoes.

scotttie · ‎03-09-2010

On 4/28/2014 LaterGator said:
Hi happycat. We also live in Arkansas but 90 miles away from where the tornados hit. We are fortunate in that we have a basement with a concrete room built in. It not only is concrete but it is underground so we do feel somewhat safe. Still, I don't think anyone is complete safe in a storm like that. I do agree that it would be a good idea to have some kind of a helmet or a mattress over yourself during the tornado no matter where you are. I feel so bad for the woman who was killed in her safe room. The last I heard is that 16 people were killed.

Is there a TV station collecting money for the victims of the storms in Arkansas that you know of? I thought I heard one early this morning but I can't be sure. We want the money to go directly to the victims.

It was tuff trying to sleep last night. I think I slept with one eye open and my ears alert for the sirens. Please stay safe.

Oh my oh my. I feel for you people down there. I have a stepbrother in Arkansas and I found out today he is okay.

I haven't heard about any fundraisers. Like the one for Oklahoma? I hope they do one.

Do you have a weather radio? That's what we have because those middle of the night storms are the ones for most potential for casualties.