When storms barrel across Oklahoma, they don’t always give you time to prepare—and April 2023 proved that once again. On the evening of April 19, a severe weather system moved across central Oklahoma, producing up to a dozen tornadoes. Tragically, two lives were lost, and many more were injured. The storms left behind widespread destruction, hitting towns like Cole, Shawnee, and the campus of Oklahoma Baptist University.
🏚️ A Direct Hit in Cole, OK
One of the hardest-hit towns was Cole, where the Birdwell family’s farm took a direct hit. As the tornado approached, the family took cover in their 7×9 above ground storm shelter. The wind was so powerful, it tore the wind turbine off the top of the shelter—but the family inside was completely unharmed.
When Larry and Robbie Birdwell, along with their daughter and grandmother, emerged, they found devastation: two homes, a barn, and a lifetime of memories were gone. A beloved horse was lost, but remarkably, the rest of their livestock survived.
While we weren’t the installer of the Birdwell’s shelter, we do install that exact model—the 7×9 precast above ground concrete storm shelter—and we’ve seen firsthand how it can offer lifesaving protection in the worst of conditions.
💬 Community Strength and Storm Shelter Peace of Mind
In the aftermath, the Birdwells praised their neighbors for rallying to help and credited their storm shelter with saving their lives. Their story is a powerful reminder that you don’t need hours to prepare—you need seconds. Having a safe, accessible place to go makes all the difference.
Storm shelters aren’t just about surviving the storm—they’re about peace of mind, knowing you’ve done everything you can to protect your family.
🛡 Why You Shouldn’t Wait
If you live in Oklahoma, you already know that tornadoes don’t stick to a schedule. The April 2023 outbreak came just as storm season was heating up—and as we’ve seen in recent years, they can happen any time of year.
Investing in a storm shelter isn’t just smart—it could save your life. Plus, it may even increase your property value and lower your home insurance premiums.
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💬 Need help choosing the right storm shelter?
Explore our options here: Storm Shelters for Oklahoma Families
Or give us a call at 405-600-4905 to talk through what’s best for your home.
