When storm clouds gathered over Cedar Creek Lake a day after the devastating tornado in Oklahoma, it caught people's attention. Television news stations warned North Texas residents on May 21 that most of the viewing area would be under a severe storm warning with the possibilities of hail and tornadoes all day. That included Henderson and Kaufman Counties. As an air conditioning repairman who paused to look at his customer's television news report, "I usually don't pay any attention to this stuff, but I am today." Fortunately, no tornadoes formed and the area sustained only a soaking rain, which it needed. Extraordinarly high winds from the night before left large tree branches down in several areas. But the tornado in Oklahoma and some 16 others in counties south of Fort Worth from a couple of weeks ago has people talking about storm shelters. The only options used to be outside storm cellars and under-the-house basements, but new homes under construction can now be outfitted with safe rooms that are designed to withstand winds of up to 250 miles per hour, according to the nonprofit National Storm Shelter Association. Above ground shelters can also be built outside of homes. A safe room reportedly can be built as a new home is being constructed for an additional $2,000, but it is more difficult and expensive to put one in to existing homes. An outside above ground shelter would cost about $10,000. Outside underground shelters and basements are now being built that are improved in terms of waterproofing. A small basement under a new home would cost about $20,000 extra, but an outside storm cellar could be built for about $2,500. Grants are available from the Federal Emergency Management Association for the construction of community underground storm shelters. In the wake of the EF5 tornado that tore through Oklahoma killing 24 people, injuring many more and leaving countless others homeless, more people are likely to consider a storm shelter a wise investment.