Building An Expedient Shelter

Or

Repairing Your Existing Shelter.

What is the vision in your mind’s eye when I say “Shelter”?

Was it piece of plastic draped over a rope, a tent, an umbrella or do you see your home?

Webster defines “Shelter” thus; Something that covers or affords protection.

Your shelter is any structure, permanent or temporary, mobile or stationary, that provides your or your possessions protections from the elements. Rain, snow, wind, sun, hot or cold, etc. etc. A shelter may be as temporary and fragile as an umbrella or as expedient as a piece of plastic tied over a cord. Without argument your home is your primary shelter. Your automobile is also a shelter, it is portable and protects you and your possessions (at least some) from the elements. Shelters in other form may include your garden shed, the large tree in your yard or the proverbial culvert of a tornado shelter. But let’s focus on two primary means of shelter, your home or the one you must construct.

First I wish to alert you to some Dangers of which to be aware after a storm. All dangers are to numerous to mention them all here. However a few pertinent ones include:

§ Downed power lines: Treat all downed power lines as live. Power lines known or believed to be de-energized may re-energize with out warning. Give power lines wide clearance. High voltage can arks (jump) several feet, and in the cases of transmission lines several yards. Causing severe burns or death.

§ Sharp metal and nails in debris: Sheet metal, roofing and any other sharp materials need little further explanation beyond mentioning that poor sanitary conditions and limited medical care means minor cuts and abrasions may turn septic quickly.

§ Falling debris: Damage to structures and trees may not all be on the ground. Be aware of unstable manmade structures or objects falling from overhead e.g. tree limbs, power lines, and some debris may be just plain stuck in trees or on roofs.

§ Wildlife: During high water events or wide spread damage, wildlife may be on the move and looking for new homes as well. Expect wildlife (and even domestic stock) to be traumatized, wounded and may react fiercely and without warning. Give them a wide berth.

Repairing Damage to Your Home;

Due to Wind or Flying Debris.

Let us assume that your home has roof, or wall damage caused by high winds or flying debris. Let us also assume that the damage has occurred to many homes over a wide geographic area and repair crews or contractors are overloaded and behind. To prevent further damage and keep your home habitable expedient repairs may be necessary. These repairs may possibly involve nothing more than covering an opening with a piece of plastic or tarp. This type of repair can last for months, if necessary.

Take all necessary safety precautions!

To seal unplanned and unwanted openings:

Remove any loose debris e.g. limbs, loose lumber, or any loose building materials that can fall, and cause injury or interfere with the covering.
Determine what size plastic/tarp will be necessary to cover the opening, allow for 3 to 4 feet of overlap. Cut this plastic.
Acquire a couple lengths of 1”x4” or 2”x4” lumber, somewhat longer than the opening. (If long pieces are not available multiple short pieces can be substituted.)
Roll opposite sides of the plastic at least one turn around each piece of the lumber.
Fasten one piece of lumber on each side of the hole by nailing through the plastic and lumber directly to the wall or roof.

TIPS:

My experience in placing tarps / plastic over openings has taught me that the secret is to pull the plastic taught along it’s entire length and width. Failure to use the lumber or to roll the plastic around the lumber by nailing directly through the plastic only will cause the plastic to tear away from the nail.
It may only be necessary to use lumber on two opposing sides of the plastic. If you choose to use lumber on all four sides it is not necessary to roll the plastic around the third and fourth piece.
Do not drive the nails completely down. This will allow for easier removal.

Window repair may be necessary as flying debris will break out a window before penetrating a wall.

1) Remove any broken glass. Use extra caution, broken glass is extremely sharp and can cause serious injuries. To remove glass wear gloves and safety glasses, break out any pieces of broken glass left in the window using a long handled tool (rake, hoe, shovel). Break the glass away from yourself.

2) Carefully remove from construction area all broken glass and any other materials that will create a hazardous working condition.

3) Seal opening with plastic or tarp as described above or use plywood or even an door removed from the interior of the house.

Roof repairs will require more attention and usually be more urgent. Repairing the roof will also be more dangerous. Similar plastic or tarp repairs are recommended.

1) Again follow all safety procedures.

2) Remove any debris that prevent the safe placement of a ladder. This also provides a much safer location if you fall.

3) Place ladder in the appropriate location, use all ladder safety procedures (see below).

4) Be aware of the dangers of standing on weakened and damaged roofing.

5) Remove debris, e.g. tree limbs.

6) Fasten tarp / plastic over opening.

Tip: The tarp should extend over the ridge above the damaged area.

7) Take extra precaution to AVOID ALL INJURIES! Roofs are a dangerous and risky place to work in the best of conditions. During a wide spread emergency event fire crews, EMTs and hospitals are overloaded and response time may be in the hours. This is a poor time to get a major injury.

Building a Shelter from Scratch.

If your home is no longer habitable but you need protection from the elements and relocating to another habitat is not an option. Then you must decide if building a shelter is your next best alternative.

1) Use any materials available.

2) Use your imagination.

3) Avoid over exertion and injuries.

4) Use common sense.

5) Remember; Gravity? Water flows down, down one piece of roofing and drips onto the next until it make it’s way to the ocean.

6) Wind will blow water uphill and against the grain of the roofing materials. The wind will drive the water under or between roofing, to drip on your head.

7) Secure materials thoroughly; Wind will blow loose materials and a shanty town shelter collapsing on you won’t help maters.

8) When using line or ropes, use proper knots. Plastic can be tied at the corners gathering the plastic and using a slip knot.

9) Fire safety is always a must if you choose to use fire to boil water, cook, provide comfort, light or heat.

Ladder Safety:

1) Read, understand and follow all printed ladder safety instructions (yes, ladders do have owners manuals).

2) All ladders must have level secure footing.

3) Never “never” reach from any ladder.

4) Ladders have a load rating. Know this rating and do not exceed it.

5) When stepping from the ladder to the roof and back again. Hold on to the ladder and center your weight over the center of the ladder (do not lean).

6) Do Not use weak, damaged, worn or “wonky” ladders. They belong in the recycle bin.

7) When climbing the ladder hold on to the rungs, keep eyes level, stand up (do not lean out or back).

· “A” ladders should have a spotter, (someone to steady the ladder).

§ Ladder must extend above roof line.

§ All four feet must be on level, secure surface.

§ Do not climb a ladder that is torqued.

· “Extension” ladders should be placed at the proper angle.

§ Place the ladder in an upright position.

§ Stand with your toes touching the foot of the ladder.

§ Reach out with your arms horizontal from the shoulders.

§ The ladder is at the proper angle when your fingertips will just touch the ladder.

§ Raise the top of the ladder at least 3 rungs past the roof line (use proper lifting techniques, protect your back).

§ Secure ladders at the top.

§ Be aware of footing when ascending or descending. Some budget ladders are missing a rung at the pawl location. This missing rung can cause a missed step especially when descending.

For more detailed information please read the Emergency Disaster Preparedness & Survival manual.

Gerald lives with his wife, Lyn on their remote farm in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. A highly trained volunteer firefighter and fire service instructor, since 1989, and currently volunteers with his local fire department. He is a wilderness survival and primitive living skills expert, an Eagle scout and an adult scout leader.

Gerald's book Emergency Disaster Preparedness & Survival can be purchased on line with our secure website at www.EmergencyDisasterPreparedness.info

by calling 800-524-9014.

Gerald also provides consulting on your preparedness issues.

Things To Do This Season:

Practice your tornado drill with your family. Tornado warnings from your weather radio may only offer a few minuets notice.

Tip:

Keep a roll of 4 mil plastic and some 12 or 16 penny nails and a claw hammer, in your emergency home repair gear.

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