Ralls' storm shelter can hold 25 percent of population - KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock

They're deadly, destructive, and can come in a moment's notice; but if an F5 tornado ever comes close to Ralls, they'll be prepared.

In 1935, two people were killed when a tornado hit the town. After nearly being hit again in 2005, Ralls city council voted on some defense by building a tornado shelter.

"This shelter will hold 500 people. That's about 25 percent of our population in Ralls," said Rhett Parker, city administrator.

Mayor D'Ann Reynolds said the decision was made to protect the town.

"We have a lot of people here that don't have a cellar," she continued. "The cellars have all been collapsed through the years and we have a lot of people that don't have anywhere to go," Reynolds said.

Parker said the grant from FEMA helped fund the $560,000 shelter. After the ground-breaking, it took a little over a year until its completion in 2008.

Now, 16 inches of concrete walls and steel doors stand on guard. "Each steel door was wind tested from the Texas Tech Wind Science Department," said Parker

Texas Tech tests shelters with cannons that shoot out planks of wood to make sure shelters meet certification standards.

Inside the shelter in Ralls they have what they need to keep safe. Cabinets are filled with water bottles, blankets, and medical supplies.

"When the fire whistles blow, we'll take up the tables and chairs and we'll pack up as many people as we can," Parker said.

There's also a communications center used to monitor conditions and get information. Even without severe weather, the town gets plenty of use out of the building.

"We use it for all kinds of civic events, we have family reunions there," Reynolds said.

The shelter has received recognition from the National Association of Development Organizations.

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