FEMA developed the safe room, which it says stood up well in tests against 250-mph winds and projectiles traveling at 100 mph. Angee Morgan, state of Kansas human services officer, said safe rooms can be constructed as the first step in building a new home or added during renovation of an existing residence. The safe room can be used as a laundry room, bathroom or even a closet. Less costly is the purchase of an NOAA Weather Radio. About 10 percent of Kansans own a such a radio, according to Holderbach.
Owners can hear the latest forecasts, climate information and river data.
Weather radios take on an added value when severe weather threatens. Civil emergencies also trigger the alert, which causes the radio to emit a loud tone lasting about 10 seconds. A voice then comes on to describe the warning and the area affected. Morgan said weather radios tend to be much easier to hear than outdoor tornado sirens. She said residents often can't hear outdoor sirens because they're asleep, behind closed doors, running their air conditioner or don't live close to any sirens.