Emergency Management Personnel Encourage Storm Shelter Registration

By Craig Day, The News On 6

TULSA COUNTY -- With tornado season here, we all need to be ready.  Emergency management personnel say shelter and safe room owners need to know who is going to check on them, to make sure they make it through the storm and out of their fraidy hole.

As Monday's Hammon twister ushers in another tornado season, many Oklahomans are taking notice. Kellie Marquez says having a cellar to go to is comforting, but uncomfortable being there very long.

"You don't want to wait until the last minute, but you also don't want to be sitting in there very long either, especially if you are claustrophobic," said Marquez, who is a Tulsa County resident.

3/8/2010  Related Story: Hammon Residents Begin Surveying Damage After Tornado

So you've paid attention to the warnings on TV and decide to seek shelter. You go outside to get in the cellar. Make it down the stairs in time. Close the heavy door, but then you can't get out because debris is blocking the door. It doesn't take long in the dark before it gets old.

Just ask Bob Carter, who The News On 6 talked with after he was trapped by a downed tree.

"There's not a whole lot of room down in one of those things," said Carter, who is a tornado survivor. And according to Carter, it gets smaller the longer you're in there.

Many Oklahoma towns want people to register shelters, so first responders know where to check.

"They need to have a plan to have someone help them get out," said Roger Jolliff, Tulsa Area Emergency Management. 

Emergency Management in Tulsa County has a registry, but manpower can be strained after a tornado.

"You need someone to check on you independently, don't wait to be rescued," said Jolliff.

As for Marquez, she likes the registry idea.

"It would be good for people, especially that maybe live alone, or an older couple that doesn't have anybody checking up on them," said Marquez.

Marquez hates to think of anyone surviving a storm, only to be stuck.

"I'm not afraid of spiders, it's snakes," said Marquez.

REGISTER YOUR STORM SHELTER:

• BIXBY
  • Bixby Police Department -- Residential Storm Shelter Registry
• BROKEN ARROW
  • City of Broken Arrow -- Storm Shelter Registration
• GLENPOOL
  • Community Development Department -- 918-322-5409
• MUSKOGEE
  • Muskogee Fire Department -- 918-687-5483
• OWASSO
  • City of Owasso -- Storm Shelter Registration
• TULSA & UNINCORPORATED TULSA COUNTY
  • Tulsa Area Emergency Management Agency -- 918-596-9899