Storm Shelter Company Sees Increase In Demand Following February Storms

The tornado outbreak that ripped through Oklahoma set record highs in February, and now storm shelter companies say they are seeing an increase in demand.

Storm Safe, a company who makes and sells storm shelters, said anytime there's a tornado they see a spike in calls and orders. 

Which means for anyone wanting a shelter installed soon, they'll have to join the growing waitlist.

Company owner Erick Heald said depending on size, customers ordering now won't have their shelter installed until May or June despite his employees working 6 days a week. 

"Shelters are needed year-round now, not just April, May and June," Heald said. "It just means our season moved up a little closer to the first of the year. Normally the first few months of the year we build inventory until we got into our inventory quicker than we normally do." 

The company said it's been dealing with a shortage of steel and employees, specifically welders. 

In an effort to combat this, Storm Safe has implemented an electric welding machine over the past year. 

Storm Safe said they encourage people to purchase a storm shelter from September to November, when companies and the city aren't as busy, and to make sure to get your shelter permitted or notify emergency management in case of an emergency so they know where to find you.