Storm shelter planning

Plan storm protection for your home with clear, careful information.

TwisterTrack helps you understand your options and connect with qualified storm shelter professionals. We don't sell, design, or install shelters — we help you ask the right questions.

Get Storm Shelter Information

Types of storm shelters & safe rooms

Above-ground safe rooms

Reinforced rooms built at or above grade, often inside a garage, closet, or new construction. When designed and built to ICC 500 and FEMA P-361 criteria, they are intended to protect occupants from extreme wind and windborne debris.

Underground storm shelters

Below-grade shelters installed in a garage floor, yard, or basement. Planning considerations include water intrusion, drainage, ventilation, and accessibility for all household members.

Garage shelters

Above- or below-ground units installed within an existing garage — a common retrofit for existing homes. Anchoring to the slab and door-assembly performance are key design factors.

Basement safe rooms

A hardened, reinforced area constructed within an existing basement. Designed to remain intact and protect occupants even if the structure above is damaged.

What the standards actually mean

ICC 500

The ICC/NSSA Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters. It defines the engineering criteria a shelter and its components (including doors) are designed and tested to.

FEMA P-320

Taking Shelter from the Storm — FEMA's guidance for building a residential safe room, including design concepts and construction drawings.

FEMA P-361

Safe Rooms for Tornadoes and Hurricanes — FEMA's criteria and best practices for residential and community safe rooms.

Why “FEMA certified” is not the right phrase

FEMA does not certify, approve, endorse, or test storm shelters, safe rooms, or the companies that build them. There is no federal “FEMA certification.” A shelter can be designed and constructed to meet FEMA P-320 / P-361 and ICC 500 criteria — that is the accurate way to describe it. Be cautious of any product marketed as “FEMA certified.”

Questions to ask an installer

Is the shelter designed to meet ICC 500 and FEMA P-320 / P-361 criteria?
Has the door assembly been tested to ICC 500 / FEMA debris-impact criteria?
What wind speed and debris-impact level is the unit designed for?
Is the anchoring and installation engineered for my slab and soil conditions?
Who is responsible for permitting and required inspections?
What is the occupancy capacity, and is it accessible for everyone in my household?
What documentation will I receive (useful for insurance or rebate programs)?
What warranty is offered, and can you provide local references?

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Indiana homeowner? Learn about the Indiana Residential Safe Room rebate program →