There's no doubt that 2016 has been a slow year for tornado outbreaks across the U.S. And this has been very good news for families who live in the most frequently hit areas of the country. But, can we expect 2017 to continue to be as relatively calm as this year was?

Scientists have found a definite correlation between the water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico and the frequency of tornadoes in the U.S. This is because, when water temperatures rise in the Gulf, a severe weather ingredient called "CAPE" is present (CAPE stands for Convective Available Potential Energy). Warm water temperatures provide more energy to fuel convection and span tornadoes as the warm, moist air moves upward from the Gulf waters into the U.S. This warm, moist air is one of the most important ingredients of the storms that spawn supercells and tornadoes in the Midwest.

When the warm, moist air is lifted by a front, it creates an updraft. The rising air cools and can't continue to hold the moisture, causing clouds to form and, eventually, thunderstorms to rumble. The updraft strengthens and the air below the storm, closer to the ground, blows at different speeds, causing wind sheer. If the wind sheer is pulled into the updraft, becoming vertical instead of horizontal, they give the thunderstorm rotation. A supercell is formed! The vertical tube of the supercell stretches upward, sucking the air upwards, too. Air near the ground rushes in to equalize the pressure caused by the air-sucking supercell, and a tornado is formed.

So, knowing that the water temperature in the Gulf Coast is slightly warmer than average this winter, scientists are predicting heightened summer tornado activity in 2017. While there isn't a guarantee that they'll be right, the data certainly supports their predictions. If you and your family live in an area prone to tornado outbreaks, keep an eye on the sky this spring and summer and, maybe, ask Santa to leave a weather radio under your Christmas tree!

Here are 5 simple steps you can take to start preparing your family for disasters. If you're just getting started, don't stress about doing everything right away. Take small steps toward your goals, and do what you can, when you can.

1) Determine What Types of Disasters Are Most Likely In Your Area
This is as easy as looking around and paying attention. Do you live in a flash-flood area? Is your home in Tornado Alley, U.S.A.? Are you near a major earthquake fault line? Maybe you live near an interstate or railroad line that might see a hazardous chemical spill in the wee-hours of the morning. Remember, disasters aren't always natural...some are man-made. Do a bit of research to see how often these disasters have hit your region in the past and prioritize your planning for the ones most likely to impact you. This helps you focus on what's most important, and save money and resources as you plan.

2) Once You've Identified Which Disasters You Need To Focus On, Learn More About Them
There are plenty of resources available for disaster prepping, so learning more is easier than ever. And as you learn about "your" disasters, you'll begin to feel more confident about being able to prepare for, and survive, them. Each disaster brings unique challenges you'll need to meet...flash flooding requires evacuation, winter storms often require alternative electricity sources, tornadoes require quick and accessible shelter.  Make a list of the unique challenges the disaster presents so you can focus your efforts.

3) Some Disaster Preparedness Items Are Universal - Stock Up
There are some items that are needed for almost every disaster, so putting together a basic disaster kit is a good idea for every family. Humans need air, water, shelter, and food in every scenario. Learn how to put together a Bug-Out-Bag (BOB) that you can quickly grad in case of an emergency, whether you're evacuating or sheltering at home. There are tons and tons of recommendations on various web sites, so look around a little before you start shopping. And here's a tip: make copes of important papers like social security cards, insurance policies, and birth certificates, and ask a family member or friend you trust, who lives in another part of the U.S., to hold them for you. Then, if you have to evacuate quickly, or your home is destroyed by wildfires or floods, you can start to rebuild your life.

4) Develop A Communication Plan With Your Family
We see it on the news all the time...a community is hit by disaster and loved ones are separated and don't know how to reach each other. Cell towers go down, the internet doesn't work, and basic infrastructures are destroyed, so you can't rely on cell phones and social media in every case. Make sure your household family members know where to meet up if you're all forced to evacuate, but you're not traveling together when you leave your home. Write down family members' phone numbers and put them in your BOB. Then, if your cell battery dies or you loose your phone, you'll still have important contact information. And share your evacuation and meet-up plans with relatives, too. Then they'll know where to start looking for you if they see on TV that your town's been hit by something catastrophic.

5) Practice Your Plans And Learn How To Use Your Supplies
Don't wait until disaster strikes to try your disaster plan for the first time. And, if you've bought equipment, get familiar with how it works BEFORE you need to rely on it! As you practice, you'll figure out things you've forgotten and also get used to the idea of how your disaster response works. If you have a storm shelter, like a Safe Shed, spend a few hours in it to see what you need to add to make it more comfortable. Announce a drill to your family, throw the Bug-Out-Bag in the trunk, and head out of town. Then stop and open your bag to see what supplies you have to use to survive. Having a few dry runs under your belt will help everyone in the family be more confident and comfortable when the worst happens.

A Safe Sheds above ground storm shelter isn't just poured concrete. There's steel rebar reinforcement throughout the shelter to ensure life-saving strength. As you can see in the photos above, an entire rebar cage is constructed before the interior concrete forms are put in place. And a rebar grid will also be attached to the wall grid rebar and assembled for the roof of the shelter.

This design meets FEMA 320 and 361 standards for safe rooms that provide near-perfect protection in the face of EF5 tornadoes and Cat 4 hurricanes. If you want to learn more about FEMA specifications and requirements, we'd be happy to e-mail you a free copy of FEMA Publication 320, "Surviving The Storm".

From time to time we get some pushback from potential customers about our product. While people are becoming more comfortable with the idea of an above ground storm shelter being totally safe, some folks still aren't sure about having one outside of their home. The biggest objection seems to be that they don't want to have to go outside their home for shelter during bad weather. Understandable.

However...

There are some distinct advantages to having your storm shelter located outside of your home. And, with a Safe Sheds shelter and the unique method we use to install your shelter within 2' of existing structures (WITHOUT THE USE OF A CRANE), you can have your shelter just steps away from your door. As you can see in the picture, this Ohio customer's Safe Shed fit neatly between his outside AC unit and the house, conveniently located just a few steps from the door. Because a Safe Shed has a 6" steel reinforced floor, he didn't have to pour additional concrete. That's what is right with this picture!

Having a storm shelter inside your home, that doesn't double as a closet or bathroom, wastes valuable (and expensive) square footage you could be using every day. If you put a storm shelter in your two car garage and store some Christmas decorations or your kids bikes, suddenly you have a one car garage with an empty box in the corner and you have to scrape your windshield every winter morning before work.

And, if you're installing a storm shelter in the corner of your garage, you must make sure you have steel reinforcement in your floor to properly anchor the shelter. Didn't add a rebar grid when your floor was originally poured? Sorry...you'll have to cut it out and replace that section. A storm shelter is nearly useless without proper anchoring.

And, here's something else to consider...

That blue line represents the most common size of in-house above ground storm shelters as it relates to a Safe Shed shelter. Having your shelter outside your home allows you to double your square footage for the same, or less, money. Think about that the next time you're under a tornado warning for an hour or two and need to be somewhere safe the entire time!

So, yes, you might get wet if you leave your house to go to an outside storm shelter. But the benefits can definitely outweigh the inconvenience. If you have questions or want additional information, please don't hesitate to call or e-mail!