West Texas Storm Safety Resource

Your Source for
West Texas Storm Safety.

The West Texas Storm Authority is your trusted resource for tornado preparedness, storm safety, weather tools, shelter funding, and emergency information across the South Plains.

Explore Resources Get a Storm Shelter at Sheltris.com →

Need an Underground Storm Shelter in West Texas?

Sheltris Storm Shelters is the premier underground shelter installer across West Texas and the DFW Metroplex. FEMA-compliant concrete shelters delivered and installed for $5,799. Serving a 170-mile radius of Lubbock. Visit Sheltris.com →

Sheltris.com

Storm Safety Resources

Everything You Need to Stay Safe.

West Texas sits in one of the most tornado-active corridors in the world. Here are the tools, links, and resources every South Plains family should bookmark.

🌪️

National Weather Service

Official forecasts, tornado warnings, and storm reports for Lubbock and the South Plains.

📡

Live Radar & Tracking

Real-time radar to track storm cells and tornado-warned storms across West Texas.

🏛️

Government & FEMA

Federal and state resources for safe room standards and disaster assistance.

🔔

Warning & Alert Systems

Sign up for alerts that warn you before the sirens — critical extra minutes.

🏠

Shelter Standards

What makes a shelter FEMA-compliant — and what to look for when choosing one.

📋

Preparedness Checklists

Make sure your shelter and your family are ready before storm season hits.

Live Weather Tools

Stay Ahead of the Storm.

Bookmark these. When storm season arrives on the South Plains, these are the sites and apps the pros use.

🌩️
NWS Lubbock
Official forecasts & warnings
📡
Lubbock Radar
KLBB live radar loop
⚡
SPC Storm Outlook
Daily severe weather risk
💨
Windy — West Texas
Wind & storm visualization
📺
KCBD Weather
Lubbock local TV weather
🌤️
KLBK Weather
CBS 13 Lubbock weather
🔭
Weather Underground
Hyperlocal Lubbock forecasts
📊
Tornado Climatology
Historical data by state

Tornado Preparedness

Know Before the Sirens Sound.

These aren't just tips — they're the difference between a close call and a tragedy. West Texas families need to know this cold.

Have a Plan Before Storm Season

Know exactly where you're going when the sirens go off. Practice getting to your shelter at night and in the rain. The time to figure out your plan is not when the sky turns green.

Watch vs. Warning — Know the Difference

A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable — stay alert. A Tornado Warning means a tornado has been spotted or indicated by radar — take shelter immediately. Don't wait for sirens.

The 13-Minute Window

The average tornado warning lead time is 13 minutes. An underground shelter in your yard means you're underground in under 30 seconds. Community shelters require a drive. Every minute matters.

Stock Your Shelter

Keep stocked with: water (1 gallon/person/day, 3-day minimum), battery-powered weather radio, flashlight, first aid kit, battery pack phone charger, and a whistle in case you need to signal for help.

Mobile Homes Offer No Protection

Mobile homes offer little to no protection from tornadoes — even with tie-downs. If a tornado warning is issued, leave immediately for a nearby sturdy underground shelter. Do not stay under any circumstances.

Rural West Texas Considerations

Rural properties have slower emergency response times. Having your own shelter is even more critical when you're 20 miles from town. Register your shelter location with your county so first responders know where to look after a storm.

After the Storm — Stay Put

Stay in your shelter until the all-clear. Tornadoes can reverse direction and have multiple vortices. Watch for downed power lines and broken gas lines before re-entering your home. Call 911 if you smell gas.

Pets & Livestock

Have a plan for your animals before storm season. Keep a carrier accessible for pets. For livestock, secure them in a low-lying area away from trees and power lines. Plan ahead so you're not making that decision under pressure.

Why Shelters Matter Here

West Texas Has a Tornado History.

The South Plains and Lubbock area sit squarely in one of the most tornado-active regions in the United States. This isn't hypothetical — it's documented history.

130+
TX tornadoes annually
#1
Texas leads US
13 min
Avg warning lead time
EF5
Highest in region

Notable West Texas Events

  • 1970
    EF5The Lubbock tornado of May 11, 1970 — one of the most destructive in Texas history. 26 killed, 500 injured, $135M in damage. Reshaped how West Texas views tornado preparedness forever.
  • 2013
    EF4Roaring Springs tornado caused significant damage across Motley County — a stark reminder that rural West Texas is not immune to violent tornadoes.
  • 2019
    EF3Tornado outbreak across the South Plains impacted multiple counties including Lubbock, with significant property damage and agricultural losses.
  • 2021
    EF2Tornado touched down near Wolfforth and Shallowater, damaging homes and farm structures in Lubbock County.
  • Every Year
    The South Plains experiences tornado activity every spring and fall. West Texas is not a place where "it probably won't hit us" is a safe assumption.

Financial Assistance Available

Save Up to $3,000 on Your Shelter.

The South Plains Association of Governments (SPAG) offers eligible West Texas homeowners a rebate covering 50% of shelter costs — up to $3,000 back after installation. Applications accepted through December 31, 2026.

$3,000

Maximum rebate — 50% of eligible costs reimbursed after installation

Applications must be submitted and approved before shelter installation. Shelter must be FEMA P-320 and P-361 compliant. Property must not be in a FEMA flood plain.

Download SPAG Application → Get a Compliant Shelter at Sheltris.com

15 Eligible Counties

Live in one of these? You may qualify for up to $3,000 back.

Bailey
Cochran
Crosby
Dickens
Floyd
Garza
Hale
Hockley
King
Lamb
Lubbock
Lynn
Motley
Terry
Yoakum

Recommended Installer

Sheltris Storm Shelters installs FEMA-compliant shelters that meet all SPAG rebate requirements and provides the compliance documentation you need for your application. Call (806) 241-8862.

First Responder Awareness

Register Your Shelter Location with Your County.

After a catastrophic storm, first responders need to know where to look. Registering your shelter's GPS location with your county means emergency crews know you might be there — and where to find you.

Register Your Shelter with Your County →

This free service registers your shelter location with local emergency management.

Emergency Resources

Know Who to Call.

Save these contacts before storm season — not during it.

Emergency Services

911 — Police, Fire, EMS (806) 775-6203 — Lubbock Emergency Mgmt Texas Division of Emergency Management FEMA Disaster Assistance

Weather Services

NWS Lubbock — weather.gov/lub Storm Prediction Center (806) 792-3012 — NWS Lubbock Office

NOAA Weather Radio Lubbock: 162.550 MHz

Shelter & Recovery

American Red Cross SPAG Safe Room Rebate Program Sheltris Storm Shelters — sheltris.com Register Your Shelter Location [email protected]

West Texas's Premier Shelter Installer

Sheltris Storm Shelters

When it comes to underground storm shelters across West Texas and the DFW Metroplex, Sheltris is the region's trusted installer. FEMA-compliant concrete shelters delivered and installed for $5,799 — serving families across a 170-mile radius of Lubbock. Founded by a lifelong West Texan with a background in construction, Sheltris brings a craftsman's mindset to every install. Most installations are completed within 4 hours.

100%
FEMA Compliant
170 mi
Service Radius
4 hrs
Most Installs
Visit Sheltris.com →
Sheltris storm shelter installation West Texas Inside a Sheltris storm shelter Sheltris crew at completed install Completed Sheltris installation