How a prefab storm shelter installed a decade ago saved a family’s life during the tornado

It’s rare to come by storm shelters in homes nowadays, but a family in Breman, Kentucky, credits one for saving their lives.

Jordan Evans was not in town with his son Gage last week when the tornadoes and catastrophic storms ravaged western Kentucky.

Jordan described the area as a “war zone.”

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Gage’s mother and the rest of his family were right in the path of the storm. Their house didn’t have a basement or any way to get underground. Luckily, they had access to one located just next door—a storm shelter that is 10 feet deep and 12 feet wide.

Gage’s stepdad, Justin Pointer, led his eight family members and two dogs into the tiny space before the tornado passed over.

The stairs leading to the storm shelter
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“It started shaking the lid real bad, we had to hold it down,” Justin recalled.

He also mentioned that, despite being cramped and uncomfortable, the space provided them with the protection they needed after their house was destroyed by the storm.

Justin claimed that the shelter was built by his father around a decade ago. His dad couldn’t remember how much he spent to put it in, but both believed they couldn’t put a price on their family’s safety.

A backyard being dug up so a storm shelter could be put in
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They hadn’t used it before, but during the night of December 19, it was able to save them all. Justin couldn’t be more grateful to his dad for thinking forward.

“He said he’d pay a hundred times more for it right now,” Justin said.

Prefabricated storm shelters can be purchased from many retailers. Many models are available for as low as $10,000 

But regardless of the price tag, I think everyone can agree that this lifesaver was a great investment. See it in action in the video. 



The tornado that hit Kentucky was the worst. It left the state with dozens missing and made it look like a ghost city.

In these times of hardship, it’s so easy to feel hopeless. One man, however, has taken it upon himself to bring some light to the small community of Mayfield.

Jim Finch drove his truck about half an hour to deliver a large grill and ready to cook food to tornado victims.

Jim brought grab and go types of food like chicken, sausage, and hamburgers. He parked in the middle town and was asked by a journalist to explain his good deed.

“I know they don’t have no electricity, so that means they don’t have no electric, no restaurants, no running water, so I just figured I’d do what I can do,” he explained. “Show up with some food and some water.”

Jim Finch in Mayfield, Kentucky
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When asked if he had a restaurant, the Good Samaritan shook his head and said, “it just needed to be done.”

Jim was born in Paducah (Kentucky), but he felt the need for relief in Mayfield, where he could provide warm food to the people.

According to Mayfield Mayor Kathy Stewart O’Nan, the situation in the town is dire.

“Our infrastructure is so damaged. There is no running water. Our water tower was destroyed. Our wastewater management was lost, and there’s no natural gas to the city. We have no other options. So that is purely survival at this point for so many of our people.”

Despite the hardships, the victims are grateful for Jim and others who brought hope and help to their devastated town.

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