Storm shelters in Jonesboro, AR
Tell us what kind of tornado shelter you want and where it would go. We match your request with a local installer who serves Jonesboro and Craighead County, and they get back to you with a quote. It's free, and you don't have to buy anything.
Underground shelters, under-garage units, above-ground steel shelters and safe rooms.
Get a storm shelter quote
Only your name and phone are required. A local installer follows up with you.
Why Jonesboro families put in shelters
On March 28, 2020, an EF3 tornado with estimated peak winds of 140 mph tracked 12.5 miles through Jonesboro. It damaged the Mall at Turtle Creek, buildings at the airport and homes northeast of it, and 22 people were hurt (NWS Memphis damage survey, March 29, 2020).
Arkansas ended its homeowner shelter rebate in 2016, and the state emergency management agency says it doesn't fund individual shelters (Arkansas Division of Emergency Management). If you want one, you're paying for it yourself, which is a good reason to compare quotes. The grants and rebates page explains what public money is still out there.
What storm shelters cost
Angi puts the national average for a tornado shelter at $7,643. Most homeowners pay between $2,892 and $13,281, depending mostly on whether the shelter goes in the ground.
| Shelter type | Typical installed cost |
|---|---|
| Underground / in-ground | $4,200 to $30,000 |
| Above-ground | $2,600 to $15,000 |
| Garage, above the slab | $3,000 to $9,000 |
| Under the garage floor | $10,000 to $15,000 |
| Basement | $6,000 to $15,000 |
| Safe room inside the house | $3,000 to $10,000 |
| Bed shelter (fits two) | $2,100 to $4,500 |
National figures from the Angi, 2026 tornado shelter cost guide, based on 129 projects. HomeAdvisor reports the same ranges.
Underground storm shelters and other options
Underground, in the yard
A buried concrete, steel or fiberglass unit with a hatch. Good protection from wind and debris, and it takes no space in the house. The digging and waterproofing are what make it cost more.
Under the garage floor
A shelter cut into the garage slab, so you can reach it without going outside. Angi puts these at $10,000 to $15,000.
Above-ground, in the garage
A steel or concrete room bolted to the slab. It costs less, goes in faster, and is easier to get into if someone in the house can't handle stairs.
Tornado safe room
A reinforced closet or room inside the house, anchored to the foundation. Closets and the space under the stairs are common spots.
Permits and the shelter registry in Jonesboro
Inside city limits, a storm shelter needs a permit. The city's fee schedule lists it at $50 (City of Jonesboro, Inspections and Planning fee schedule), and residential plan review takes about 3 to 5 days (City of Jonesboro, Plan Review). Many installers pull the permit for you, so ask whether it's in the quote. Outside city limits, check with Craighead County.
Once the shelter is in, add it to the Jonesboro E-911 Storm Shelter Registry (Jonesboro E-911 Storm Shelter Registry). It's free, and it tells responders where to look for you after a storm.
How it works
- Fill out the short form with the shelter you're interested in and your ZIP code.
- We send your request to a local installer who serves your area. Tick the compare box and we can send it to up to 3.
- The installer contacts you to look at your site and give you a price. You decide whether to go ahead.
Common questions
How much does a storm shelter cost in Jonesboro?
Nobody publishes Jonesboro-only prices, so the closest guide is national data. Angi puts the average tornado shelter at $7,643, and most homeowners pay between $2,892 and $13,281. Underground shelters cost more than above-ground ones because of the digging. The price guide breaks it down by type.
Should I get an underground or an above-ground shelter?
Underground shelters hold up well against wind and debris and don't take up room in the garage, but they cost more and can take on water. Above-ground shelters bolt to a concrete slab, cost less, and are easier to get into for anyone who can't manage stairs. HomeAdvisor suggests above-ground units for properties with a high water table. See shelter types for more.
Does Arkansas give a rebate or tax credit for storm shelters?
Not right now. The state's homeowner shelter rebate ended in 2016, and ADEM says it doesn't offer state or federal money for individual shelters (Arkansas Division of Emergency Management). A 2025 bill for a storm shelter income tax credit, HB1366, died in a House committee when the 2025 session adjourned (Arkansas Legislature, HB1366). More on the grants and rebates page.
Do I need a permit to put in a storm shelter?
Inside Jonesboro city limits, yes. The city's fee schedule lists a storm shelter permit at $50 (City of Jonesboro, Inspections and Planning fee schedule). The city says residential plan review takes about 3 to 5 days, and Engineering checks floodplain and stormwater issues before Inspections issues the permit (City of Jonesboro, Plan Review). FEMA points out that the 2021 International Residential Code doesn't exempt storm shelters from permits, and that anchors drilled into an existing slab need a special inspection (FEMA Building Science FAQ). Outside city limits, check with Craighead County. Ask the installer whether pulling the permit is in their price.