How to Anchor Your Fuel Tank in a Natural Disaster
04/14/2023
Prep in and Around Your House | Strengthen Your Home • Floods | Hurricanes | Tornadoes
Why does it matter?
High wind events like hurricanes and tornadoes as well as fast-moving floodwaters or tsunamis can move or dislodge fuel tanks causing a threat to you, your family, and others. Take action today to keep your fuel tank in place.
What do I need to know?
- An unanchored tank can damage your home or other structures when the supply line comes loose, causing fuel spills, contamination, and even fire.
- If your tank is buried underground, water saturation can push it to the surface.
- One of the most effective fuel tank anchoring methods is an attachment to a concrete slab with sufficient weight to withstand the force of floodwaters or high winds. Tanks located outside can also be anchored by running straps over it and using turnbuckles to attach them to the concrete slab.
- See FEMA. Anchor Fuel Tanks for more details on these methods.
Where do I start?
- Keep floodwaters out of the tank by extending all filling and ventilation tubes above the 100-year Base Flood Elevation (BFE) or expected flood level.
- Shut off all connections once flood watches and warnings are issued.
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