Safe Rooms for Landslides
Safe room installation for landslides requires sincere foresight in planning. Failure to adhere to federal regulations and commonsense building practices can inundate best intentions for safety in a watery doom. While safe rooms should never be placed in flood prone areas, strategically placing solid steel shelters aboveground from the raging torrents can protect vulnerable populations from mudslides and toppling trees accompanying severe weather events, such as tornadoes and hurricanes.
Shifting Land Masses of Chaos
Heavy rainfall during short intervals can destabilize large soil deposits, causing root systems below loose rock to give away, descending down slope while placing everything in its path in direct danger. Saturated and rushing groundswells can collect debris deposits while cascading downhill before slamming into valley homes and unsuspecting motorists. Nearly 50 Americans perish in mudslides annually, with the grim statistic expected to increase during extreme weather events caused by Climate Change.
Tropical Storm Helene Brings Catastrophic Landslides to North Carolina
North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains aren’t known for dealings with tropical storms. While exceedingly rare, the rugged mountain chain’s brush-ups with hurricanes and lesser systems can quickly swell mountain streams before flooding valley-side communities. Towering peaks and gradual slopes create a funnel effect for torrential rains permeating mountain topsoil, presenting ideal conditions for flash flooding and residual mudslides into catch basins. Although Tropical Storm Helene dominated headlines for flooding deaths in western North Carolina, adjoining mudslides also claimed a significant number of lives. Eleven members of the same family were killed during a mudslide in the Asheville suburb of Fairview on Sept. 27.
Tips for Installing Safe Rooms from Flooding and Landslides
Although errant safe room placement for flooding can exacerbate dire circumstances in flood zones, following FEMA’s protocols can protect vulnerable communities from landslides and flying debris. (And we can’t stress this point enough: you should AVOID constructing safe rooms in flood zones). FEMA Standard P-361 recommends elevating safe rooms to the minimum height required by your authority having jurisdiction. Moreover, heavy concrete pours and steel sheathing should reinforce safe room bases and nearby retaining walls. All safe room ceilings and roofs should be independent of the primary dwelling structure, as descending landslides could also dismantle aboveground shelters before colliding with the home. Furthermore, FEMA advises including multiple points of entry or egresses as impromptu emergency escape hatches should floodwaters approach safe rooms above waterways. Elephant Safe Rooms can guide you through the complicated installation of safe rooms in landslide-prone areas. Contact us today for a free quote and consultation!