Why can't they build earth-sheltered homes in tornado prone areas? If people go down into a cellar to be safe, why not put the house underground? There's got to be a reason. I know it would look VERY different, but if it would be safer I wouldn't care!
Anyone have any comments or reasons why not?

They can and they have. Burmed homes are not uncommon, but most people don't like to live underground. Prairie states have many tornadoes, but like everything else one doesn't feel it will ever happen to them.

I live in MO and our house has a basement and the only reason it does is because they had to blast thru the rock the house is on.. No way could this house be built underground.. But I agree, if possible, Why not build a mandatory shelter of some sort in the tornado prone areas..

I live in MN and we have tornadoes. Buiding houses underground would be gloomy...no windows and sunshine!

There are many reasons they aren't built. Cost is one reason, lack of qualified builders is another. In some places the water table is to high and in some places they would have to blast rock. When I was younger I remember every farm house had a storm shelter. Then they fell out of favor, but I think they may be making a come back.

we have friend that live in a underground house. they have lived in it for about 30 years now the air is so bad She has to have oxygen all the time and he has skin troble.

We live in tornado alley, and no I do not want to live 6 foot under until I have too.)
Most of us have shelters,safe rooms or basements. If somebody doesn't, they usually know somebody who does.
We live in the country and keep an open door policy on our shelter.our neighbors know to just come over even if we are not at home. there is room for about 15 to 20 people.
We have never once had a bad experience with our neighbors ,or even strangers who asked to come.
Call me blissfully naive but I still trust 'most' people

I think living underground full time would also be expensive. Always checking for Radon, treating, keeping moisture out. They do make burm houses where most of the house is underground except for one area to let natural light in. But, I think they tend to feel gloomy. Most people like views out most of their windows. Every home that is in those areas should absolutely have shelters. Every home.

I saw a special on TV one time and those houses were really cool. But I can imagine that air might be an issue. Sorry it has been a problem for your friends.

It is rare to have a Tornado in our area but we still have a plan as to where to meet should one come. We have a basement but would definitely put in an underground shelter if we didn't.

I grew up in Indiana, and I don't know of a house there that doesn't have a basement. I'm sure there are some that don't, especially the new homes that are built. I have never lived in a house that didn't have a basement.

cuz they don't put basements in Texas. depending on where you are, it's either thick clay gumbo or limestone.

My Army Engineer SIL, who just retired, has for years been drawing an underground home, first for practice and then he became fascinated with the idea. One of the Northern (or MidWestern) Universities has an underground library that has a big hole in the middle for gatherings, and to let in light.
SIL wants a greenhouse on top to take advantage of heat rising and sunlight that would be gathered for power. Some of these places can have a herd of cattle grazing on top of it and no one inside would know it.

I'll bet now a lot of these will suddenly become popular.

Where would you put all these earth contact/berm homes in a city? Where would you put all the people that live in the city while you tear everything down to build these shelters or berm homes?

Life is a gamble every day. The near hysteria over the current tornado season will soon be replaced by the next tsunami, earthquake, hurricane or serial killer.

To everything there is a season.

When we were looking to buy a house, we looked at a bermed house with lots of windows facing south. It wasn't dark and damp but we couldn't afford it.

I have a cousin that has one in OK. They have had a moisture issue. Where I live (on a river) A basement, or underground would be one big water well. NO one in our area has anything underground. At least not in the flat land (swamp).

This was my experience in Indiana exactly, and now in Maryland I find most sfhomes do NOT have basements - possibly because they just don't get that kind of severe weather here so it isn't a big concern. The exception would be townhomes, where basements are commonly built to increase house space vertically when there isn't room to do so horizontally.

However, my husband and I DO have a basement in our single family home - it's over 150 years old and not close to comfy but we wouldn't be without it. We've had a few good storms over the years and our neighbors can access our basement even if we aren't home.

A) they do build them - called berm homes. There is one not far from where I live. Interesting concept but like everything else in this world they too come with their own set of problems.

B) They can't be built everywhere. Some places the water table is too high, some places are on bedrock, and in denser populated areas there just isn't the required space.

Now a question for you ... you live in CA. Why don't they build 100% earthquake homes in CA?? Or fireproof homes? Or homes that won't slide down a hill in a mudslide?

So you see ... regardless of where you live, Mother Nature will come a callin. There is no perfect place where you and what you build is completely immune to everything.

Then I guess people who live in flood zones would build their houses on stilts. :-)

My nephew lives in OK and after all of these storms they are looking into building some type of shelter. A tornado just barely missed them but it was scary!

Except central Maryland. Except for some humidity and a freak snowstorm every now and then we've got nothing. lol

I have seen many underground homes while traveling up and down hurricane alley. They do come with their fair share of problems though... :D:D:D

or live in boat houses!

Have to agree with you.