My state was hit hard recently by tornadoes. I'm now thinking getting a good shelter. I read in the American Survival magazine about sub-terrain utility shelter made by Storm Chaser Shelters, Inc. based in Ft. Worth, Texas. Please..can anybody give me a feedback about this? I really appreciate it.

-- Erwin Rommel (desertfox@yahoo.com), January 22, 1999

Answers

Underground shelter is good. Underground house is better. My area got hit last night - am strongly considering going underground.

-- Paul Davis (davisp1953@yahoo.com), January 22, 1999.

Paul,

what's the cost/lead time on something like that?

Arlin

-- Arlin H. Adams (ahadams@ix.netcom.com), January 23, 1999.

I checked this out earlier this year: here's the info they emailed to me and contact info: ---- We make 7 different size shelters, all shelters have the same width and standing height inside.

Width 68"

Height 6'6"

Lengths are from 9.5 ft. to 19.5ft.

Prices range from $2615 to $4830

Trey Thompson Storm Chaser Shelters, Inc. 817-847-9000

-- Shelia (gnmassey@gte.net), January 23, 1999.

I saw your backyard shelter when I visited your home in Herrlingen about 10 years ago. Glad the Allies never targeted it. But then you were hardly ever at home.

It's been bought jointly by three families, all raising children there, one family on each of the three floors. The high brick wall and iron gate around it still gives good privacy against history nuts like me (but they invited me in for a brief look).

As you must know, your home also served as an orphanage for awhile after the war. Maybe the picture of your house taking care of lots of children has consoled your many losses.

Glad to hear you're back, and ready to lend us a hand with y2k, as you were not able to help Germany take a different course.

-- (jor-el@krypton.com), January 23, 1999.

Last time I looked at cost - a few years back I must admit - it was not much worse than an above ground house. You spend more on all the digging, but save on fixing up the outside pretty - you don't have to impress the moles. ;^) Lead time would depend on the contractor. Personally, I am thinking of a house entirely underground, but with a courtyard above ground - roses and such. Built in the top of a hill probably - for drainage.

-- Paul Davis (davisp1953@yahoo.com), January 23, 1999.