Fairfield Beach Tornado Shelter
The steel storm doors at the Fairfield Beach Tornado Shelter in Central Ohio automatically unlock when the tornado emergency sirens begin to wail.
The Fairfield Beach Tornado Shelter is a FEMA P-361 rated Monolithic Dome Safe Room near the south shore of Buckeye Lake in central Ohio. The dome can accommodate 773 people during emergencies or over 300 for meetings and community events.
The oblate ellipsoid Monolithic Dome is 75-feet (23 m) diameter by 26-feet (8 m) tall, encompassing 4,417 square feet (410 m²). There are two reinforced steel doors—capable of withstanding flying debris—on the west and south sides of the structure. The exterior HVAC system and emergency generator are in reinforced cages. The interior is primarily open, featuring storage rooms, restrooms, and a kitchenette.
In the Media
- Lancaster Eagle Gazette: FEMA allocates $800,000 to Walnut Township for storm shelter at Fairfield Beach
- ABC 6: The first tornado shelter in Fairfield County
- 10 WBNS CBS: New tornado shelter enhances safety for Fairfield County community
- Lancaster Eagle Gazette: Walnut Township officials plan to build a Fairfield Beach tornado shelter
The open interior can accommodate 773 people during severe weather inside this shelter, rated as Near Absolute Protection from disasters. Amenities include restrooms, storage, a kitchenette, and emergency power and HVAC. The shelter is also used to host community events and meetings.