I was always under the impression that there were underground shelters in areas such as Moore; and other areas that have been hit once before with such bad storms... and I'm learning that this is not the case and I was shocked when the mayor of Moore said that not even the school had a shelter -- and when asked why not his response was because of cost.

Regarding underground shelters in single family homes, I would think something such as a reinforced, precast concrete culvert or similar unit with a hinged lid at grade for ventilation would not be too costly even with the type of clay content soil in that area. Holes that size are easilly drilled to depths of 6-ft and even deeper in solid bedrock so it's something that I feel would serve well for the short period of time a small family would have to utilize the structure and from what I'm seeing, above grade safe rooms just don't cut it unles they're constructed with poured concrete like a bunker.

It was very tough watching those moms and dads waiting outside the school for their children to come out -- and when I zoomed in on one little boy who was just waiting there, alone, without anyone there to hug him completely tore me up...

May God bless.