HOW TO BUILD A HURRICANE SAFE ROOM

When hurricanes and tornadoes strike, it is rarely flooding which does the most damage, but almost always wind. The impact of intense winds on homes, schools, businesses, and communities across the United States is significant in all 50 states – and getting worse. That’s why FEMA has done considerable research on how to construct a safe room so people who aren’t able to evacuate can safely wait it out ‘til the storm passes.

Hurricanes pose a substantial risk to coastal areas, particularly along the Gulf of Mexico and the Southeastern U.S. Hurricanes range from Category 1 with winds of up to 95 mph to Category 5 with winds well over 150 mph. Hurricanes often span hundreds of miles – far larger an area than tornadoes. And because hurricane winds come with storm surges and heavy rainfall, even Category 1 and 2 hurricanes can cause serious damage. Coastal regions get it the worst when severe flooding is combined with wind damage.

Between 1950 and 2020, hurricanes caused thousands of deaths in the United States, emphasizing the need for stricter building codes and more safe rooms. According to recent estimates, the destruction caused by hurricanes last year is projected at roughly $128 billion. Between Hurricanes Milton and Helene, 2024 was one of the most costly hurricane seasons in history.

In 100+mph winds, buildings that are not designed to be climate resilient experience significant damage; roofs and walls collapse and windows shatter. When winds enter a building through broken windows or doors, it creates a pressure differential that can lift off roofs or increase the likelihood the whole house will collapse.

Remember Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz? None of us want to wake up to find everyone and everything we know gone. Safe rooms offer protection. Safe rooms are constructed with reinforced walls, roofs, and doors to withstand wind and prevent airborne objects from crashing through. In tornado-prone areas, safe rooms should be located in the center of the building or underground, like in a storm cellar, for maximum safety. However, in hurricane-prone areas, especially those likely to flood, the opposite is true. Safe rooms should be elevated – far above sea level – and located outside storm surge to protect you from flooding.

FEMA – which is short for The Federal Emergency Management Agency – oversees emergency operations during climate disasters and has put out guidelines for constructing safe rooms.

1. The first key is to use materials and designs that can withstand extreme wind: reinforced concrete for walls and foundation; steel framing, shutters, reinforced doors or window frames; impact-resistant glass windows; pressure-treated wood; metal roofing; fiber cement siding; storm shutters; hurricane straps and clips; and spray foam insulation in walls and roofs. By combining these materials, you can significantly increase your home’s ability to withstand extreme winds.
2. Next, before you start building, make sure your safe room is elevated above expected flood levels from rain or sea level surge.
3. There should be no windows in your safe room – and if there are, make them impact-resistant.
4. Emergency relief groups emphasize the importance of proper sheltering practices and adhering to local building codes so be sure to check out their guide below.

In addition to safe rooms in homes, FEMA recommends towns build them in schools, gyms, libraries and other community spaces so everyone can get to safety during a storm. Safe rooms should be accessible to all residents, with an eye towards people with disabilities, and making sure people will be comfortable during extended shelter-in-place periods.

LINK TO FEMA PDF