Emergency Responders Highlight Importance Of Storm Shelter Registry During Natural Disasters

Emergency managers in the Tulsa area are urging people with storm shelters to register them with first responders. They say it helps them find victims after a tornado.

Wednesday, May 5th 2021, 4:34 pm

By: News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -

Tulsa area emergency managers urge people with storm shelters to register them with first responders, so they're easier to find after a tornado.

The registration gives first responders a more exact location to find shelters, which is especially important with in-ground shelters that are more easily hidden by debris. The start of the spring storm season is always busy for storm shelter companies. Owasso-based Family Safe says they're installing 20 to 25 above-ground shelters each week.

TJ Cly, with Family Safe, said his company encourages homeowners to check registration with their local officials. Some communities, like Tulsa, automatically register the location as part of the building permit process. There are 1,760 registered shelters in Tulsa.

Owasso Emergency Manger Don Lynch says the detailed location from a registration is important.

"More specifically where is it on the property, rather than just a street address, it helps us pinpoint the location of that shelter," said Lynch.

In Owasso, there are 1,116 registered shelters, but many more, that are not. Lynch is trying to update his maps with better information and GPS coordinates.

He has records of 50 tornadoes affecting Owasso since 1950, so he urges people to take every step they can to prepare.

"It's one of those things that you have the opportunity to have severe weather, fortunately, we don't always have severe weather, but you need to prepare for it anyway because you don't always know when it's going to be your time and when you're going to be hit, so we want people to be prepared," said Lynch.

For more information on how to register your shelter Follow the Links Below

Tulsa

https://www.cityoftulsa.org/residents/public-safety/storm-shelter-registration/

Broken Arrow

https://www.brokenarrowok.gov/government/emergency-management/storm-shelter-registration

Sand Springs

https://www.sandspringsok.org/358/Emergency-Management

Owasso

https://www.cityofowasso.com/FormCenter/Emergency-Management-8/Storm-Shelter-Registration-53

Sapulpa

https://cityofsapulpa.socs.net/vnews/display.v/SEC/Departments%7CFire%20Department%3E%3ESafe%20Room/Storm%20Shelter%20Registration

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