This type of shelter may be a less viable option for existing homes since the old slab would need to be removed and replaced with a thickened section. Building a shelter in a house with a crawlspace foundation can prove to be more difficult since the entire shelter, including the floor, must be separate from framing of the house. Regardless of where you decide to build your tornado shelter, the walls and ceiling must be built so that they will protect you from airborne missiles and falling debris. Additionally, the shelter must have a structure independent of the rest of the home such that if the home is destroyed, the shelter will remain in place. Adequate Bracing On Gable Roofs Gable end roofs are more susceptible to damage by high winds than hip or flat roofs.
Gables can provide a large obstacle to the wind.
If the framing on the gable end is not adequately braced to resist the wind, the roof can fail. Bracing can be added fairly easily. High winds and windblown debris can easily break windows on your home, allowing wind to enter your home and cause further damage. Once wind enters your home, it is forced upward and can take the roof off, resulting in total structural failure. To prevent this from occurring, permanent storm shutters should be considered.