The sky darkens, and sirens wail—another tornado warning in Kansas. With winds howling and debris flying, you rush your family to the tornado shelter outside your home that was sold and installed by Cat Cans Portable Services of Manhattan. The three point locking door shuts behind you, and inside, the shelter stands strong against the raging storm. Designed for maximum safety & security, it provides peace of mind as the tornado roars overhead. You huddle together, grateful for the investment in protection. When the storm passes, you emerge unscathed with your family safe. In tornado country, a quality shelter isn’t just an option—it’s a necessity.
Crafted in Wedowee, Alabama by Fiberglass Creations, The Refuge storm shelters offer life-saving protection against powerful storms. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, they recommend underground storm shelters as the safest option during a tornado, providing superior protection from deadly winds, flying debris, and structural collapse in severe storms.
Made of fiberglass for enhanced safety, affordability, and longevity, The Refuge storm shelters can comfortably fit up to a dozen people during one of life’s scariest moments. Meticulously designed to endure storms rated EF5, the shelters include secure locking mechanisms, ventilation for safety, and ergonomic interiors for comfort. They are compact yet spacious enough to accommodate families, and emergency storm kits.
At Cat Cans, Kansas' authorized dealer, they offer three different sizes of The Refuge storm shelters. The largest, Refuge 1, accommodates 10-12 people with an interior height of nearly seven feet. The medium-sized Refuge 2 fits up to eight people, with an interior height just slightly shorter than the Refuge 1. Finally, the Mini Refuge can hold six people and features an interior height just over six feet. All models come with a 10-year limited warranty for peace of mind.
The installation process begins with a thorough site assessment to determine the best location for the shelter, ensuring it’s easily accessible and provides maximum safety. Once the site is chosen, the team excavates the area, digging a hole to accommodate the shelter's specific dimensions.
After excavation, the shelter is carefully lowered into the hole using specialized equipment to ensure it remains level and securely positioned. Once in place, the shelter is anchored to the surrounding ground with a robust anchoring system to keep it firmly grounded. The first part of this system consists of two steel bars running beneath the shelter. Next, a one-ton cinder block is added to each side for added anchoring and stability. Then, to further enhance safety, two steel straps are placed across the top of the shelter, securing each cinder block in place.
The team ensures that the door seals tightly, protecting against debris and water infiltration. Additionally, ventilation systems are installed to maintain airflow, ensuring safety during prolonged periods inside.
The final steps include backfilling the area around the shelter, restoring the landscape, and conducting a safety inspection. Cat Cans’ experts ensure that the storm shelter is fully operational, providing families with peace of mind during tornado season.
With a commitment to quality and community, Cat Cans ensures you don’t just have a shelter—you have a trusted line of defense against nature’s fiercest forces. Secure your home, protect your loved ones, and weather any storm with confidence.
To learn more, visit catcansofmanhattan.com
"Be proactive. Don't wait until the storm hits to think about it!" - Russ Bunker