Possible locations for an in-ground shelter include the following:

• Below the slab in a closet or storage room
• Below the floor of the garage, in an area where cars will not be parked

Because of the difficulty of installing an in-ground shelter in an existing house, this type of shelter is practical only for new construction. Remember, if the first floor of the house is below the level of storm surge or the level of flooding from any other source, it is not a suitable location for a shelter. In this situation, a possible alternative would be to build an exterior shelter on a slab- on-grade elevated on fill above the flood level.