What to keep in a storm shelter

Keep your storm shelter stocked with the basics that help you survive the storm and deal with the mess right after it: a way to get warnings, light, first aid, sturdy shoes, water, medicines, and key documents. Keep the kit simple, easy to grab, and small enough that it does not block the shelter or crowd the people using it. (fema.gov)

Start with life-safety basics

FEMA says residential safe rooms should have emergency supplies such as flashlights, fire extinguishers, first-aid kits, radios with extra batteries, and a signaling device such as an air horn. FEMA also notes that tornado safe rooms are usually used for a short time, with a typical maximum occupancy of about 2 hours, so the goal is not to turn the shelter into a second pantry. The goal is to make sure you can get in fast, stay informed, protect your head and feet, and get out safely after the danger passes. (fema.gov)

A good shelter checklist starts with these items:

• Flashlight or flashlights
• NOAA Weather Radio or another battery-powered radio
• Extra batteries
• First-aid kit
• Fire extinguisher
• Cell phone and charger
• Sturdy shoes for each person if possible
• Helmets if you have them
• A signaling device such as an air horn or whistle
• Blankets, pillows, or other padding for extra head and body protection

These basics come straight from FEMA and National Weather Service guidance. NWS Amarillo also recommends keeping a helmet, and it explains why shoes matter so much after a storm: broken glass, nails, and other debris may cover the floor outside your shelter. (fema.gov)

If you are still planning your shelter, size matters too. FEMA recommends a minimum of 5 square feet per person for residential tornado safe rooms, based on standing occupants. That is one reason bulky storage is a bad fit for many home shelters. If you want help estimating space, try the Safe room size calculator, and if you want the plain-English version of the rules, see ICC 500 and FEMA P-320 standards in plain English. (fema.gov)

Water, food, and medicine

Even though most tornado shelter stays are short, you should still keep water on hand. National Weather Service supply lists call for bottled water at 1 gallon per person per day, and several official emergency kit lists call for at least a 3-day supply of water and nonperishable food. In a small home storm shelter, that does not always mean you must store the full household supply inside the room itself, but it does mean your shelter-area kit should include easy-to-reach water and simple food you can grab fast. (weather.gov)

Choose food that is shelf-stable, easy to open, and familiar to your family. Think along the lines of canned or dried foods, boxed drinks, and a manual can opener. If someone in your home takes daily prescription medicine, add that medicine to your shelter routine so it is not forgotten during a warning. The same goes for any basic medical items you may need during a stressful hour, such as a small first-aid kit and personal care items. (weather.gov)

Sanitation items are easy to overlook, but they are useful when power is out or cleanup is delayed. NWS supply lists include basics such as soap, tissues, paper towels or towelettes, and plastic trash bags. In very small shelters, keep these in a compact tote or sealed container near the entrance so they do not reduce usable floor space. (weather.gov)

Documents, keys, and communication

After a tornado, the hard part may start only after you leave the shelter. NWS guidance recommends keeping identification, an extra set of car keys, and a cell phone in or near the shelter area. Other official kit lists include important phone numbers, insurance information, and other records in case the home is damaged and you need to call family, insurers, or emergency services. (weather.gov)

A practical document set might include copies of insurance papers, medical information you may need quickly, and a short contact list written on paper in case your phone battery dies. A waterproof envelope or small document pouch works well because it keeps papers together without turning the shelter into a file cabinet. If you want more detail on the post-install step many owners miss, read Registering your storm shelter with first responders. FEMA recommends giving the safe room location to the local fire department, local emergency management agency, and other relevant local officials. (fema.gov)

Your radio matters here too. Cell phones are helpful, but they are not enough by themselves. Batteries die, towers fail, and alerts can arrive late. FEMA and the NWS both point people toward weather radios and battery-powered backup devices so you can keep getting updates while you are sheltered. (fema.gov)

Plan for pets, kids, and medical needs

Your storm shelter kit should match the people who will actually use it. Families with babies may need diapers, bottles, formula, and extra clothes. Households with older adults or anyone with a health condition may need a simpler, faster checklist so medicines and essential care items are not missed during a warning. Official NWS family kit guidance also calls out special items for infants, older adults, or disabled family members. (weather.gov)

Pets need a plan too. CDC guidance for a pet disaster kit includes photocopied veterinary records, recent pet photos, a leash or harness, a carrier, non-spill dishes, cleaning supplies, and a 2-week supply of pet food, water, and any medications. For a storm shelter, you may not have room for the full pet kit inside the shelter itself, but you should at least have the fast-grab items ready so you are not chasing a scared pet during a warning. (cdc.gov)

Children often do better when the shelter feels familiar instead of frightening. That can be as simple as keeping a small comfort item nearby, making sure helmets fit, and reviewing the plan before storm season. NWS Amarillo stresses that planning ahead is the key to surviving a tornado because you may only have seconds to act. (weather.gov)

Keep the shelter clear and maintain the kit

A storm shelter is not just another storage closet. FEMA says the path to the safe room should not be blocked with furniture or stored items, and if the room is used for another purpose, the floor should not be cluttered in a way that reduces usable safe room space. Another FEMA advisory says to keep the room relatively free of clutter so residents can enter and remain there for up to several hours if needed. (fema.gov)

A simple maintenance routine helps:

1. Check batteries in radios, flashlights, and other devices.
2. Replace expired food, water, and medicines.
3. Make sure shoes still fit growing children.
4. Update copies of insurance cards, IDs, and contact lists.
5. Restock pet supplies after use.

NWS Amarillo says to check and replace batteries often, preferably twice a year, and suggests doing it when clocks change in the spring and fall. The same page also says to check your disaster supplies regularly so food and water stay fresh. (weather.gov)

Store emergency supplies as close to your shelter as possible. That advice sounds small, but it matters. The best kit is the one you can reach in seconds during a warning, not the one buried on a garage shelf behind holiday bins. (weather.gov)

Match the kit to your shelter and local rules

The right shelter kit depends on the type of shelter you have and how much room it offers. A compact under-stair safe room may only have space for the essentials. A larger stand-alone shelter may have room for more water, sanitation items, extra clothing, and pet supplies. Either way, let the shelter's capacity drive the kit. People come first, then the supplies that help them stay safe. If you are comparing options, these guides on How to choose a storm shelter installer and the state-by-state directory can help you start with local providers. (fema.gov)

This is also a good place to separate product marketing from actual standards. Ask whether the shelter was designed and installed to the applicable guidance, and make sure the installer explains what can safely be mounted, stored, or added later. For background, see FEMA safe room vs. storm shelter: what is the difference? and How much does a storm shelter cost?. (fema.gov)

Because local practices can differ, confirm any permit, inspection, shelter registration, or emergency management questions with the relevant city, county, or state office before you rely on a checklist. That one call can clear up what belongs in your shelter, what belongs nearby, and whether local responders want your shelter location on file. (fema.gov)

Frequently asked questions

Do I need food and water in a tornado shelter?

Yes, but keep it in proportion to the shelter. Official kit guidance calls for bottled water at 1 gallon per person per day and commonly recommends at least a 3-day supply of water and nonperishable food. FEMA also says food is less important in tornado safe rooms than in hurricane safe rooms because tornado shelter use is usually short, so many families keep a small shelter kit inside the room and larger household supplies nearby. (weather.gov)

Should I keep helmets and shoes in the shelter?

Yes. NWS Amarillo specifically recommends shoes and says helmets can help protect your head, neck, and upper body from falling or flying debris. Shoes matter after the storm too, when broken glass and sharp debris may cover the ground. (weather.gov)

Can I use my storm shelter for storage?

Only lightly, and only if storage does not block the path, reduce usable floor space, or slow down entry. FEMA says safe rooms should not be cluttered with stored items that restrict access or usable space, and another FEMA advisory says to keep the room relatively free of clutter. In practice, that means a small, organized kit is fine, but bulky storage is not. (fema.gov)

How often should I update the kit?

At least often enough to catch dead batteries, expired items, and changed family needs. NWS Amarillo says batteries should be checked and replaced often, preferably twice a year, and the rest of the supply kit should be checked regularly to keep food and water fresh. Many families do this when clocks change in spring and fall. (weather.gov)