Family uses retired school bus as tornado shelter
Ohatchee, Ala., resident Jerry Moore says he and his family keep water and other supplies in the bus in the event that they have to stay in it for long periods of time. The bus is stored in the side of a hill.
OHATCHEE, Ala. — A retired school bus has found a second life with Jerry Moore and his family. The Ohatchee resident uses it as a shelter when tornadoes pass through his neighborhood.
Moore spoke to National Public Radio (NPR) about the bus and staying in it during a storm on April 27.
Moore said that 14 family members and a Great Dane headed to the bus for safety, and that after the storm passed, the group saw that Moore’s house survived, but both of his daughters’ trailers were destroyed.
Moore got the bus from a preacher, and it is stored in the side of a hill. Moore told NPR he got a backhoe to dig the hole and put the bus in, and then he and his family covered it back up.
He also noted that they keep water and other supplies in the bus in the event that they have to stay in it for long periods of time.
More Safety

NY Coalition Calls for Modernized Transportation for Vulnerable Students
A new statewide coalition is urging New York lawmakers to expand student transportation options for vulnerable students amid ongoing driver shortages.
Read More →
America Has a School Bus Passing Problem — and Distraction Is Making It Worse
Illegal school bus passing remains a major safety threat as distracted driving rises. This op-ed explores why awareness, enforcement, and stop-arm cameras matter more than ever.
Read More →
School Bus Laws to Watch: New York Delays EV Mandate
Plus, federal lawmakers seek new funding for school bus safety as states weigh stop-arm enforcement, disability protections, and education spending.
Read More →
The Essential Handbook for Safe Alternative Student Transportation
Your district's "exception riders" — students with IEPs, those experiencing homelessness, foster care youth — deserve more than a middleman solution. This handbook breaks down exactly what to look for in a supplemental transportation partner: from driver vetting and regulatory compliance to proactive safety technology. Because getting a ride isn't the same as getting a safe one.
Read More →
Operation STEER Brings Emergency Response Training to North Texas
Prosper ISD hosted the third annual training for transportation professionals across 67 districts to learn how to respond to emergencies, such as rollovers and evacuations, and proper use of safety equipment.
Read More →
Florida District Relaunches BusPatrol School Bus Camera Program With New Safeguards
After being suspended over due process concerns, Miami-Dade schools and law enforcement are restarting the AI-powered stop-arm camera program with new oversight.
Read More →
School Bus Laws To Watch: Seat Belt Bills, Funding Fights & EV Changes
From national bills on seat belts and driver oversight to driver awareness campaigns referencing “Finn’s Rule” and ongoing transportation funding debates in Alaska, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.
Read More →
9-Year-Old Boy Killed by School Bus at Busy Brooklyn Intersection
A Williamsburg community is mourning after a child was fatally struck by a private yeshiva bus, prompting calls for urgent safety improvements at the high-traffic crossing.
Read More →
Does Reliable School Transportation Boost Attendance? EverDriven’s Data Says Yes
The new data shows 99.99% incident-free trips and strong on-time performance, reinforcing how dependable transportation, especially for vulnerable student populations, can help districts combat chronic absenteeism.
Read More →
NTSB Calls for Alcohol Impairment Systems, Seat Belts After W.V. Crash Investigation
The federal agency's report asks NHTSA to require all new school buses to be equipped with vehicle-integrated alcohol detection systems and passenger lap-shoulder belts.
Read More →
