A Closet Can Become the Perfect Storm Shelter
Extreme weather conditions are a danger no matter where one happens to live. But different environments tend to have different types of natural disasters. That’s why it’s usually best to prepare for the threats which have the greatest chance of occurring. One will ideally have a special location set up in case one of those natural disasters occurs. But there are ways in which one can achieve a similar level of protection without needing extreme measures. For example, someone in Texas could prepare for most potential natural disasters with a closet conversion.
A custom closet storm shelter Texas style is easier than one might imagine. The first thing one needs to understand is why it’s considered a custom closet storm shelter Texas style. The Texas style refers to the fact that storms, and even tornados, are a danger in Texas. One should always work to accommodate protective needs to the greatest threats. And finally, making the most of what’s available is just the Texan way of life. And what do most people have on hand in their home? They have one place which offers an unexpectedly high level of protection from the very threats posed by natural forces in the area.
The conversion process begins by locating a closet which is as protected from outside conditions as possible. Basement closes are the best because they have multiple areas of protection. They have the full ground layer for an initial buffer. And a basement’s lack of windows offers additional protection. However, if this isn’t possible then one should at least try to find a closet that’s as removed from windows or breakable glass as possible.
Next, one should try to ensure that the room a closet is located within is also prepared. Large objects such as bookshelves need to be moved to another room. And of course the closet itself needs to be fully emptied. This is for two important reasons. The first reason is that debris can easily hit someone during a storm. And the second is that one will need to keep some secured emergency supplies within the closet. Which leads into the next step.
One should decide on some basic emergency supplies to keep in the closet. It’s good to test the available space by first getting into the closet with anyone else who might need to use it. There probably won’t be all that much free space. But one needs to carefully consider the absolute essentials. A crank radio is a good start. And if possible one should have both water and a camping filtration kit. The latter is especially important for the aftermath of a storm. It’s quite possible that cars might have been damaged. If someone’s cut off from civilization for a while then water will become a priority.
The good news in such a situation is that water will usually be fairly easy to come by. The bad news is that it’ll seldom be clean enough to drink. But that’s where the water filters come in. They can purify even the dirtiest water and make it suitable for humans.
Finally, one needs to carefully discuss plans for the closet with all other family members. Even extended families should be brought into this discussion. In a worst case scenario where part of the house collapses they’ll need to know where the closet is. This will ensure that rescue teams know that there are in fact people who need saving within the house. One should also make sure that children have practice drills involving the closet. A parent should be able to depend on children knowing where to go if a storm is approaching.