Tornado warning and the basement steps

[DorOMA]

Be prepared for emergency situations.

Usually we don't go to the basement until the wind is pretty fierce with hail. When my dh came back from the barn he said it was time to get to the basement. He helped me scoot down the steps on my butt. It has been a good 10 years since I was in the basement. After the storm passed, it took awhile and a lot of convincing that I would not fall backwards as I tried to climb back up the old wooded steps.

I need a different plan. All suggestions are welcomed.

(Some tree damage but not to the house) We are were lucky.

[Jules A]

So glad you are ok! Any chance of adding a ramp of some sort?

[SNOOPY]

Hi DorOMA.

Have you considered a stair lift?

[marti]

Storms really scare me. We lived on a farm and had a basement which gave me comfort, but it got harder and harder to climb the stairs.

I know it's not possible for everyone, but we got a realtor and he found us a house that is all on one level.. no stairs. But also.... no basement or hidey hole. For us it was a good move. We couldn't work the farm anymore... either of us... so moving was not a big hardship. I think our town has a shelter where people can go during a storm.

[DorOMA]

Great solutions. Thank you all! Dh and I are discussing all of them. The fact of our ages (mid & late 60's) and ms is making us think of a lot precautions and alternatives before we actually need them.

[oceanpride]

Probably could make new steps Dorma. More user friendly with you in mind. The weather seems to be getting crazier these days so it might have to be a priority. I’m glad you didn’t get hit too hard. It sounds pretty intense.

[Mamabug]

We've considered looking into new steps in the future. I can still go down ours -- one at a time, with a handrail. But they are slightly steeper than most. So I usually choose not to.

When I need something out of the freezer, I often send hubby down to get it.

DorOMA, if your stairs are that difficult, I'm glad you're thinking through different options.

[marti]

We've considered looking into new steps in the future. I can still go down ours -- one at a time, with a handrail. But they are slightly steeper than most. So I usually choose not to.

When I need something out of the freezer, I often send hubby down to get it.

DorOMA, if your stairs are that difficult, I'm glad you're thinking through different options.

Your response made me remember that our hold farm house had a second entrance around the back which went directly into the basement. So some days (most) I just walked around the house and down a slight incline. Of course, hauling laundry back up was always tough. Sometimes I'd just scoot the basket up the stairs, one at a time. No easy solutions other than a lift or an elevator!

[Mamabug]

We got a stackable washer and dryer 10 years ago and moved our laundry to the main floor. I could scoot baskets up, one step at a time, but hubby had always needed to carry them down.