For whatever reason (they say it’s the soil), we don’t have basements in OK or TX, for the most part. Many people install storm shelters or safe rooms, but they are expensive.
Its the soil, or rather the moisture in the soil.
I’ve never had a basement here in Indiana until my latest house.
It’s got a poured concrete basement with a rebar reinforced shelter under the stairway.
The lady that built it 20 yrs ago had a healthy fear of tornados.
The water level where I am is too high for a basement. Even a storm shelter would be a close call before hitting water. I want a storm shelter but can’t afford one.