Tornado Damage on the Rise: Businesses Prioritize Safety in Houston Area as Storms Grow More Intense

Recently, tornadoes have been causing significant damage in the Houston area. One hit Katy earlier this month and another struck Trinity County on Sunday night. As a storm attorney based in Houston with experience dealing with hurricanes like Sandy and Harvey as well as tornadoes, Rene Sigman has noticed that tornado damage is increasing in every state.

There is a growing focus on protecting families from tornadoes and heavy wind storms among businesses such as Lone Star Safe Rooms and Sportsman Steel. Chris Hooser of Lone Star Safe Rooms has seen an increase in the number of homeowners looking to make their homes safer from severe weather. Similarly, Jeff Kiser of Sportsman Steel has noticed an increase in customers reaching out for tornado shelters following major storms.

Kiser showed KRPC 2 Investigates one of his tornado shelters in Montgomery County, emphasizing their ability to protect families from high impact wind events. Hooser predicts that tornado shelters will become more common in homes in the future, similar to the way dishwashers are now found in almost every household.

Storm shelters can be built underground or above ground, but Sigman warns that building them underground is not a viable option in southeast Texas due to the risk of flooding. The cost of a shelter can vary depending on factors such as size and materials used, but the primary goal is to protect lives during severe weather events. KRPC 2’s Frank Billingsley reports on the increasing need for tornado shelters in the region, highlighting their importance for ensuring safety during extreme weather conditions.