In recent weeks, tornadoes have been causing significant damage in the Houston area, with one hitting Katy earlier this month and another striking Trinity County on Sunday night. As a storm attorney based in Houston, Rene Sigman has experience dealing with hurricanes like Sandy and Harvey as well as tornadoes. She notes that tornado damage is increasing in every state.
There is a growing focus on protecting families from tornadoes and heavy wind storms, especially among businesses like Lone Star Safe Rooms. Chris Hooser of Lone Star Safe Rooms has seen a rise in the number of homeowners looking to make their homes safer from severe weather. Jeff Kiser of Sportsman Steel has also noticed an increase in customers reaching out for tornado shelters following major storms.
Kiser showed KRPC 2 Investigates one of his tornado shelters in Montgomery County, emphasizing their ability to protect families from high impact wind events. Hooser predicts that tornado shelters will become more common in homes in the future, similar to the way dishwashers are now found in almost every household.
Storm shelters in the Midwest are typically built underground, but Sigman warns that this is not a viable option in southeast Texas due to the risk of flooding. The cost of a shelter can vary, but the primary goal is to protect lives during severe weather events. KRPC 2’s Frank Billingsley is passionate about all things weather and reports on the increasing need for tornado shelters in the region.
