Quick Answer:
Every Oklahoma storm shelter should have a few basics ready before severe weather arrives. Sprague’s Backhoe recommends keeping sturdy shoes, head protection, flashlights, a weather radio, essential medications, and basic supplies within easy reach. Keep the kit practical so emergency supplies don’t take up valuable shelter space.
A storm shelter doesn’t need to become a storage closet to be well prepared.
The goal is to keep a few useful items ready so your family isn’t searching for shoes, flashlights, medications, or other essentials when a tornado warning is issued. For broader emergency preparedness, Ready.gov recommends maintaining a household emergency supply kit with food, water, medications, communication tools, and other necessities.
Here are six storm shelter essentials Sprague’s Backhoe recommends Oklahoma families consider.
1. Sturdy Shoes and Work Gloves
Keep sturdy, closed-toe shoes in or near your shelter for each family member. If a tornado causes damage, broken glass, nails, wood, and other debris may be outside when you leave.
A pair of work gloves is also useful if you need to move light debris after the storm.
2. Head Protection
Protecting your head and neck from flying and falling debris is important during a tornado.
Bike helmets, sports helmets, or other sturdy head protection are easy to keep with your storm supplies, especially for children.
3. Flashlights and Backup Power
Keep at least one reliable flashlight in the shelter along with fresh batteries or another backup power source.
A power outage may leave you exiting the shelter in complete darkness. A headlamp is another useful option because it keeps both hands free.
4. A Reliable Way to Receive Weather Information
A battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio gives you another way to receive weather information if power or cell service is interrupted.
Your phone is useful too. Keep Wireless Emergency Alerts enabled, and consider storing a charged portable power bank with your supplies.
Don’t rely only on outdoor warning sirens. They’re primarily intended to alert people outdoors and may not be heard inside every home or storm shelter.
5. Essential Medications and First Aid Supplies
Keep a basic first aid kit available along with any emergency medications your household may need.
This is especially important for medications that may be needed quickly, such as inhalers or other emergency prescriptions. Check expiration dates regularly and don’t leave medications in the shelter if temperature or moisture could affect how they should be stored.
6. Water, Snacks and Personal Essentials
You don’t need to fill your tornado shelter with days of food and water. Keep your larger household emergency supply elsewhere and use valuable shelter space for what you may realistically need during and immediately after a storm.
A practical shelter kit might include:
- A few bottles of water
- Simple shelf-stable snacks
- Copies of important emergency contacts
- Pet leash or carrier
- Diapers and wipes if needed
- Small comfort items for children
- Eyeglasses or other personal necessities
Families with specific medical, accessibility, infant, or pet needs should adjust the kit accordingly.
Don’t Overfill Your Storm Shelter
Emergency supplies are useful, but people come first.
Avoid filling the shelter with bulky storage that reduces usable seating and standing room or makes it harder to get everyone inside quickly. If you’re still deciding how much shelter space your family needs, Sprague’s Backhoe’s storm shelter quiz can help you compare your options.
This is especially important in below-ground shelters because interior stairs already reduce usable floor space.
Check Your Storm Shelter Supplies Regularly
Pick a simple schedule, such as twice a year, to check your shelter supplies.
Replace dead batteries and expired food, update medications and emergency information, make sure flashlights work, and remove anything your family no longer needs.
It’s also a good time to make sure the shelter entrance is clear and everyone in the household knows the tornado plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I keep three days of food and water in my storm shelter?
Not necessarily. Maintaining a larger household emergency supply is good preparedness, but you don’t need to store all of it inside your tornado shelter. Keep enough basic water, snacks, and necessities in the shelter for your family’s immediate needs without sacrificing valuable occupant space.
What should I keep in a storm shelter for my pets?
Keep a leash, carrier, or other restraint ready so you aren’t chasing a frightened pet during a tornado warning. Water, necessary medications, and a small amount of food may also be useful.
Should I keep a weather radio in my storm shelter?
Yes. A battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio provides an additional way to receive weather information if electricity or cellular service is unavailable.
Should we keep helmets in our storm shelter?
Head protection can help reduce the risk of injuries from flying or falling debris. Bike or sports helmets are easy additions to a family’s storm supplies, especially for children.
What should I keep in a storm shelter for children?
In addition to basic safety supplies, consider a small comfort item, quiet activity, diapers or wipes when needed, and anything else your child may need while waiting for the storm to pass.
Do above-ground and below-ground shelters need different supplies?
The basic supplies are similar. Below-ground shelters can experience moisture or water intrusion during heavy rain, so items stored there should be protected accordingly.
How often should I check my storm shelter supplies?
Twice a year is an easy schedule for most families. Check batteries, flashlights, food, medications, emergency information, and anything else that expires or changes over time.
Key Takeaways
- Keep sturdy shoes and work gloves available for debris after a storm.
- Add head protection for family members, especially children.
- Keep reliable flashlights and backup batteries or power.
- Use multiple ways to receive weather information.
- Include essential medications and a basic first aid kit.
- Keep water, snacks, and personal necessities practical rather than overfilling the shelter.
- Review your supplies about twice a year.
Still need a storm shelter for your Oklahoma home? Explore Sprague’s Backhoe’s storm shelter options or call (405) 600-4905 for a free quote on a shelter designed to meet or exceed FEMA safe room guidelines.
