Abstract: An in-ground storm shelter for installation in the floor of a structure. The door is substantially flush with the floor and comprises two panels, one sliding over the other, so as to occupy as little floor space as possible. A spring-biased latch on the leading edge of the sliding door automatically latches the closed door to a rail on the front edge of the enclosure as the door is slid shut. The latch may comprise a pair of handles, each with a grip hole. The latch is releasable from outside the shelter using the end of a handrail that acts on the latch through a latch release window in the sliding door. The shelter may also include a safety chain that extends through the grip holes in the latch handles. A security lock may be included so that the shelter may serve as a safe or secure storage.