Growing up Kansas – just 40 miles from Greensburg which in May 2007 was literally blown off the map by a giant tornado – Jerry Shoemaker knows the importance of storm safety and shelters.
Pictured second from right above, Shoemaker grew up in a time when people in the nation's heartland were told in the event of a tornado to get in the bathtub and pull a mattress over your head, get under a stairwell or inside an interior room or closet. While that might protect you from debris, it wouldn't protect you if your house is lifted up and made airborne while ripping it apart.
A retired Vietnam-era veteran who came to Mineral Wells to attend flight school in 1969, Shoemaker today is the owner of Heartland Tornado Shelters Inc., located in Weatherford at 2276 Mineral Wells Highway just west of the Ric Williamson Memorial Highway.
His above-ground shelters are essentially customizable steel pods that can be installed to hold two-three people, or 25 people or more for use as a community or commercial shelter.
Bolted to concrete slabs using 3/8-inch anchor bolts on 10-inch centers, his shelters are certified by the National Wind Institute at Texas Tech University to withstand an EF-5 category tornado packing devastating, debris-slamming wind speeds up to 250 mph.
"They are tough," Shoemaker said of his shelters.
They can be installed in a garage, master bedroom or a patio as long as the concrete slab will support the unit and bolts and has at least a 6-inch footprint around the shelter (so that drilling in the anchor bolts does not crack the concrete).
While not tested for a zombie apocalypse, Shoemaker said his units can also serve as a safe room and gun storage locker.
They are handicap accessible, with 36-inch-wide doors. They are vented, made so that someone on the outside cannot enter, or be able have direct aim with a weapon at anyone inside. The 10-gauge panels provide safety from everything except armor-piercing bullets.
In the event of debris blocking the door, panels can be disassembled and pushed out from the inside.
Shoemaker offers an inclusive survival kit package of a lantern, earplugs, an air horn and whistle. Bench seating is optional, and for those who desire electrical lighting, wiring access can be made.
He fully guarantees the units – structure and materials – for five years.
Pricing with installation begins around $4,000 for a 2-3 person unit, and Shoemaker said he can usually install them within 10 days of purchase.
Shoemaker's presentation Wednesday to Mineral Wells Rotarians gave members much to think about concerning their safety in the event of a tornadic storm. For more information about Heartland Tornado Shelters, visit www.heartlandtornadoshelters.com or call 940-453-5915.
Also pictured are club President David Cairone, left, Shoemaker's son Brian Shoemaker who attended Wednesday's meeting as a guest, and at far right program chair for the week Barb Tucker.
Rotary Club of Mineral Wells meets every Wednesday at noon at Holiday Hills Country Club for lunch, networking, updates on club projects and a program of interest. Please join us.
