Larry Smith Owner of Maverick Manufactured Homes says he's has been installing storm shelters for 16 years.
"Our phones were ringing off the wall. So we've been really busy," says Smith. Just this week he's installed almost seven shelters and he doesn't think it's going to slow down anytime soon.
"There was a warning recently in our area so it was comforting to me to know people that i know were scared to death of a tornado had a place to go," says Smith.
Right now his company is getting orders from North Texas and as far away as Oklahoma where tornadoes and high winds have sent people scrambling the past few days.
Smith says, "I've got a lot of people calling me saying thanks for giving me some peace of mind."
The shelters are placed seven feet in the ground. Each one has lights, a toilet, and a ventilation system.
They come in all sizes, but the biggest could hold a whole family and many of the neighbors. "We're real experienced. We listen to the customer and we try to make a good fit for what they need and what's going to help them feel safe and secure," says Smith.
There are several companies in East Texas that build shelters, and all of them tell us that because of the demand this time of year it's important to place your order as soon as possible.
They're not cheap. They start around four thousand dollars and go up from there depending on the material. The shelters can be made of fiberglass, steel or concrete. They have been tested and passed the National Storm Shelter Association guidelines.
