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DIY Wooden Tornado Shelter
A DIY Wooden Tornado Shelter against a white background

Designed by the USDA Forest Products Laboratory, this 8- by 8-foot DIY Wooden Tornado Shelter, which meets industry safety standards, is designed to be built, utilizing readily available materials and tools, in the basement, garage, or other protected area of one's home that has a reinforced concrete slab at least 4 inches thick. The website provides verbal/captioned and illustrated instructions on where to locate the shelter and the step-by-step construction process plus six how-to videos. (Note: Building permits and inspections are commonly required for all construction. If considering purchasing or installing an in-home shelter/safe room, contact the appropriate source(s) about building code requirements.)

Estimated Cost Cost range: See below

Limitations Limitations Addressed by Product: All


SourceUSDA Forest Products Laboratory
1 Gifford Pinchot Drive
Madison, WI, 53726
Websiteresearch.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/55838
Emailsm.fs.rdpublicweb@usda.gov
Phone608-231-9200
Fax608-231-9592
Est. Cost$3,500 - $4,000
Last updated: Jun 03, 2025


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