Tornado Warning Signs You Need to Know

What Should I Do When I Get The Rebate

After you have received a rebate letter from your local planning commission you can then reach out to Ground Zero Storm Shelters to install your shelter.

1. Your shelter must be installed by a member of a regulatory association like ATSA if want to receive a rebate – Ground Zero Shelters is a member of several!
2. After the shelter is installed we will help you turn in all the required paperwork for the rebate.

If you have qualified for a rebate, order your shelter from Ground Zero today! You can also call us at 877-880-1351.

Do I Qualify For A Storm Shelter Rebate?

If you own or are in the process of buying a home, don't live in a flood plain, and your home is not a historical site, then you can qualify for a rebate on your property.

1. Check with your local planning commission to see if they offer rebates in your county.
2. Get the rebate application from your local planning commission.
3. Fill out the rebate application and mail it in to the planning commission.
4. The planning commission will process your information then send you a letter that says if you qualified for the rebate or not.

Have more questions? Contact us, or call us at 877-880-1351 and we can help you in this process.

Storm Shelter and Tornado Shelter Rebates and Grants

If you are in need of a storm shelter and budget is an issue, don’t give up! You may qualify for financial aid in the form of rebates, grants, Native American assistance or even FEMA funding. Take a look at your options below to find out if you qualify!

Storm Shelter Rebates & Grants

In Oklahoma everyone can go online and apply for the SoonerSafe Safe Room Rebate Program that draws twice a year (minimum) like a lottery all over Oklahoma for help getting tornado shelters. In disaster years they have been known to draw more than twice in one calendar year. Remember, you only get picked if you apply! There are no guarantees that you will get picked. Some have waited 5 years to get drawn and others have never been drawn. 

Native American Storm Shelter Assistance

Most Oklahoma based tribes do offer assistance for storm shelters to be installed for their tribal members who are homeowners. If you are a member, you should contact the housing authority for your tribe and ask about storm shelter assistance.  

You will then fill out a form with your information and wait until further notice if you have been accepted and the steps to follow thereafter, as well as your budget.

FEMA Storm Shelter Rebates & Funding

No matter where you live you can go to the www.FEMA.gov website and apply for assistance. Also if you live in an area prone to bad weather you can keep in touch with your city offices or local Emergency Management and they will advise you if they have any local, city or state funding for storm shelter assistance or if they know of any in the near future.

Life After a Tornado - How to Rebuild

When a tornado strikes your community emotions run high and it’s hard to maintain a sense of normalcy after a disaster like this. Upon your first inspection of the damage, conditions might look as if the damage is irreparable. The stress of bearing such emotional AND financial burdens might seem too much for you to handle all at once. Starting over seems almost impossible...so much destruction! You might start asking yourself these questions:

1. Do I have money saved for an event like this?
2. Will my insurance cover a tornado?
3. Are there programs, organizations, family or friends that can help me?

Before you start beating yourself up, it is totally natural for you to ask if something could have been done to protect your home. Instead of feeling hopelessness, annoyance and bitterness towards the situation think about your future. When should the cleanup, repairs and rebuilding start? How do you even begin? Is it affordable to rebuild at this time? Don’t worry! There are ways to save time and money after a tornado has upset your life.

First of all, we are not trying to make this sound easy. It’s definitely never easy to rebuild your life. However; with determination and hard work this can and will be accomplished. Consider the questions that must be answered.

1. Was there total or partial damage?
2. Do all of your belongings have to be replaced?
3. Should calculations of needs (today and in the future) be thought out?

After asking yourself these questions and answering them, it’s time to start the rebuild! Below are tips that will help tremendously in saving both time and money.

• Hire a contractor that is able to fund the beginning of the rebuild. It usually takes insurance companies a few months to send you the money.
• Insurance claims also cover your possessions. Take inventory of all non-salvageable items by taking pictures. You can even take pictures of your damaged foot items for food lost.
• If you are making new purchases to replace things that were lost – KEEP ALL OF YOUR RECEIPTS!
• Ask for advances from your insurance adjustor. Advances can be used for living expenses like clothes, food and toiletries.
• Check to see of your insurance policy covers storage for those items that were not damaged.

Also helpful are the tips below which you should think about in the days immediately after a tornado.

1. Get a rough time line from your insurance agent on the next steps.
2. Arrange cleaning or restoration service for clothes, house and property.
3. Coordinate your work schedule if needed.
4. Arrange schedules for child care providers if needed.
5. Contact your utility companies.
6. Contact your mortgage holder or landlord.
7. Rent a postal box if mail needs to be redirected.
8. Arrange for a security service to prevent looting if needed.
9. Rent a storage unit for vehicles and possessions.
10. Obtain boxes with folders to hold documents and receipts.

You can also check out our article series: How to Recover from Disaster for more information and resources.

Prepare a Tornado Disaster Recovery & Contact Plan

Tailored Disaster Recovery Plan for Oklahoma

In the heart of Tornado Alley, with primary focus on Oklahoma City and Tulsa, OK, the need for tornado preparedness isn't just a suggestion—it's a way of life. The key to managing through these severe storms is having a well-crafted tornado emergency preparedness strategy, including a disaster recovery plan and an emergency contact plan. Ground Zero Shelters is dedicated to helping you navigate these planning stages to ensure your family's safety.

Understanding the Need for a Disaster Recovery Plan

In areas like Oklahoma City and Tulsa, OK, where tornados are a frequent threat, the importance of tornado preparedness cannot be understated. One integral part of tornado emergency preparedness is the development of a robust disaster recovery plan. A tornado's devastation can be immense, leaving confusion and chaos in its wake. However, having a well-thought-out disaster recovery plan in place before a storm strikes can offer invaluable guidance and help restore order during such tumultuous times. A detailed disaster recovery plan will not only help you navigate the immediate post-tornado scenario, but it will also ensure that crucial needs such as shelter, food, and medical assistance are addressed. Your disaster recovery planning should include steps to assess the damage, reach out to insurance providers, find temporary accommodation if needed, and restore normalcy as much as possible. Remember, having such a plan in place isn't just about survival in the aftermath of the storm, but also about providing peace of mind in knowing you're prepared for whatever comes your way.

Creating Your Disaster Recovery Plan

A key cornerstone of any tornado preparedness strategy in Oklahoma City and Tulsa is having a secure shelter. Ground Zero Shelters provides a variety of tornado-resistant storm shelters, built to withstand the severe weather conditions specific to this region. These shelters form the first line of defense against tornados, offering a safe haven for you and your loved ones when the skies turn threatening. Tornado emergency preparedness extends beyond just the storm. Your disaster recovery plan must also account for the aftermath. This includes assessing your home’s condition, contacting your insurance provider, and arranging for temporary accommodations if needed. Each of these steps is crucial to regaining control and beginning the healing process after a tornado. Disaster recovery planning, while it may seem daunting, is made easier with comprehensive resources like our disaster recovery planning page. By arming yourself with the necessary knowledge and preparing in advance, you can turn a potential catastrophe into a manageable situation, ensuring the safety and well-being of your family throughout.

The Importance of an Emergency Contact Plan

As part of comprehensive tornado preparedness, creating an emergency contact plan is of utmost importance. Tornados in areas like Oklahoma City and Tulsa often bring chaos, making it possible for family members to get separated amidst the confusion. An emergency contact plan becomes a lifeline in such situations, allowing families to reconnect quickly and safely. Your tornado emergency preparedness strategy should include each family member having a pre-established list of contact numbers, preferably saved on their cell phones and a physical copy kept in their wallets. In addition to this, setting a predetermined meeting place that is safe and easily accessible is vital in case family members cannot return home. A comprehensive emergency contact plan not only ensures communication between family members during a disaster but also provides a sense of security and confidence when dealing with such challenging circumstances.

Making Your Emergency Contact Plan

As part of your tornado emergency preparedness, crafting an effective emergency contact plan is essential. Start by designating an out-of-town contact who can be reached by all family members. In scenarios where a tornado has hit Oklahoma City or Tulsa, it's often more reliable to send text messages as phone lines can get overloaded. Additionally, identify a safe, accessible location where your family can regroup if returning home isn't an option. Remember, when it comes to facing tornados, preparedness isn't just important—it's critical. Ground Zero Shelters is here to support you through this tornado preparedness process. We offer durable storm shelters engineered to protect you and your loved ones from the harshest weather conditions. But our support doesn't stop there—we also provide comprehensive resources to enhance your disaster recovery planning and ensure you're ready for anything. Don't let the storm catch you off guard. Plan ahead with Ground Zero Shelters. Explore our wide range of storm shelters and make use of our extensive tornado preparedness guides. Contact us today to secure your family's safety. Be prepared and gain the peace of mind you deserve when the storm hits.

What to Do Once a Tornado Has Passed

Most people are aware of the obvious risks from a tornados’ strong winds, which can send debris flying and destroy property. After a tornado hits, however, there are other risks from the wreckage that they leave behind. You could get seriously injured once re-entering your home left-over debris.

The first thing you should do is to make sure the storm is really over before emerging from your storm shelter. Check for the latest weather information related to the storm in your area on your weather radio.

Aiding the Injured

• Check everyone with you for injuries and administer first aid for any minor injuries as needed.
• If you have a seriously injured person in your party, do not attempt to move them unless they are in immediate danger. Call 911.
• If someone has stopped breathing, administer CPR if you have been trained to do so.
• Stop any bleeding by applying direct pressure, and have puncture wounds evaluated by emergency medical personnel.

Watch Out For Hazards

• Stay away from downed power lines and report them to the utility company.
• If your home is damaged, do not enter until emergency management officials say it is safe to go inside.
• Watch for any animals that have been forced into your home by rising waters or flooding. Leave immediately if you smell fumes or gas, and notify emergency personnel.
• If your home has not been damaged, keep children and pets inside, away from any damage or debris outside. If you have to take your pets outside, keep them on a leash.
• If your home has no power, use flashlights and lanterns rather than candles to prevent accidental fires.
• If you suspect any damage to your home, shut off electrical power, natural gas and propane tanks to avoid fire, electrocution or explosions.
• If you see frayed electrical wiring or sparks, or smell something burning, shut off your home's electrical system at the main circuit breaker.

Safety When Cleaning

• Wear sturdy shoes or boots, long sleeves and gloves whenever you handle, walk around or are near any debris. Many of the injuries caused by tornados result from stepping on nails in and around damaged homes and buildings.
• Clean up any dangerous spills immediately, including medicines, bleaches, chemicals, gasoline or other flammable liquids.

We hope that you never have to experience the devastation a tornado can have on a community. However; severe storms cannot be avoided – especially if you live in Tornado Alley. But, if you have a preparedness plan and are well informed about disasters, you will already have a leg up on any tornado!