Certainly there are plenty of options for individuals. My post was with respect to what is possible for commercial and community shelters.
And it was based on what the commercial construction companies had advised to folks around here.
We have a basement bedroom which has a loft next to the bed.
The kids are able to sleep and play on top of the loft, and if needed we can all sit under the loft for protection from the debris as well as a reinforced area.
So we are better off than many in our town, and certainly better off than the first ten years when we lived in a trailer.
Oh I agree. It sounds like building basements in that area would be cost prohibitive.
If I lived in tornado alley, even if I had a basement, I’d still want a crush proof vault in it...with some provisions.