Tornado – Oklahoma, USA

Climate: Temperate, prone to severe storms and tornadoes.

When a powerful tornado tore through her town, Emily’s wooden house was completely destroyed. Her family took what little materials they could salvage—corrugated metal sheets, wooden planks, and tarp—and built a small lean-to in a safe corner of their yard. They dug a pit nearby for drinking water storage and reinforced their shelter with sandbags to protect against future storms while waiting for community aid.

• Time to Build: 2–4 days (salvaging materials like metal sheets and wood takes time).
• Cost: Cheap ($) – Recycled and salvaged materials keep costs low.
• Local Materials: Yes – Materials are from destroyed homes.

• What materials would you look for if you needed to build a shelter quickly?
  (Would you choose strong materials, insulating ones, or easy-to-find items?)
• What is the most important part of a shelter: the roof, walls, or floor? Why?
  (Consider weather, comfort, and safety.)