Morgan H. lives in Lake City, Arkansas with her young family.
One afternoon, the family was sitting in the front room of their house when they saw a tornado headed right for them.
“It was just getting bigger and darker,” Morgan said. “And we were just like, ‘It’s coming; we got to go.”
The family immediately ran out of the home just before the tornado destroyed it.
Thankfully they were able to get into their nearby storm shelter.
The entire family hunkered down inside the shelter while the tornado tore apart everything around it.
The family was able to watch the tornado through a small window in the shelter.
At one point, the family’s car was tossed in the air by the twister and then it landed on the storm shelter.
Morgan said the family felt the power of the car landing on top of them, but no one was hurt inside the shelter
“It was pretty sturdy, but just to feel it, I knew it was a bad tornado,” Morgan said.
At least six people in multiple states died during the storms.
Whether or not you live in a storm-prone area, having a storm shelter, or some sort of bug out location, can be an important part of survival.
When it comes to shelters, a popular option is shipping containers…
But another great choice for a shelter that’s gaining popularity is a box culvert.
What is a box culvert shelter?:
A box culvert shelter is a type of structure made from reinforced concrete rectangles or square boxes (box culverts).
These concrete culverts are used for drainage under roadways and railways.
But they are also being repurposed – or even specifically built – as survival shelters.
The culverts can be buried underground or just partially covered with dirt.
Advantages of building a shelter with a box culvert:
Box culvert shelters are made from reinforced concrete, making them strong and incredibly durable.
In fact, most are blast resistant since they are used under roadways where cars and huge semi-trucks drive over them daily.
Additionally, they’re reasonably priced.
A small box culvert can be purchased for as little as $5,000. These are pre-manufactured so there isn’t a lot that goes into building them.
Of course, the exact costs will vary based on the specific size and installation of the culvert.
But, in comparison to other shelters, it’s a cost-effective option.
Since box culverts come in different sizes you can customize them in different ways.
For instance, you can combine two if you need a certain size. It’s customizable as much as you want it to be.
Box culvert shelters are easier and faster to install compared to other survival shelter options.
Drawbacks to a box culvert shelter:
One issue with box culvert shelters is that they can be small. Some are as small as 4X6 ft.
Even though smaller ones are less expensive I would make sure you can comfortably fit your entire family.
Plus, if you add interior insulation, flooring, or other amenities it will take away space.
Another thing to be aware of is that concrete sweats, or forms condensation on the inside walls.
This can lead to mold or dampness inside the shelter if there isn’t good ventilation.
Speaking of ventilation, a well-designed air system is critical to ensure safe, breathable air inside the shelter.
A forced air system might be needed depending on the climate.
Additionally, a box culvert shelter isn’t something you can install yourself.
You will need a crane and excavator at the least, which is something to keep in mind if you plan to build your shelter in a remote location.
A box culvert shelter can be a low-cost, and extremely durable survival shelter. It’s relatively simple to do with the right equipment.
Yet, it won’t provide the comforts and customizations that you will find with other options such as a shipping container shelter.
