Since recent events around the world, concerns over the potential use of nuclear weapons have grown. Imagine a nuclear strike occurs. Where would you and your family take refuge? Nuclear bunkers may be your best bet.
This comprehensive guide explores options for locating natural underground bunkers close to your homestead and fortifying them into reliable fallout shelters. When it comes to surviving a nuclear emergency, being prepared could mean the difference between life and death.
Understanding Nuclear Fallout Basics
Before we dive into finding bunker locations, it’s crucial to understand what nuclear fallout actually is and how it behaves.
Fallout refers to the radioactive particles and debris propelled into the upper atmosphere following a nuclear detonation, which then “fall out” and blanket the surrounding areas.
The extent and concentration of this radioactive contamination depends on:
- Wind patterns the time, which disperse fallout over varying distances
- Terrain and surface features, which can concentrate or divert fallout plumes
- Weapon yield, with higher yields creating larger amounts of fallout
While fallout intensity reduces exponentially the further you are from ground zero, the three key protective factors are:
- Time– Allowing time for radioactive decay to occur
- Distance– Putting as much space as possible between you and the fallout
- Shielding– Interposing dense materials like concrete or earth to block radiation
This underscores the importance of a proper underground shelter to maximize all three of these radiation defenses.
Locating Natural Nuclear Bunkers Near You
So where can you find pre-existing natural bunkers around your homestead? Surprisingly, there may be suitable underground spaces much closer than you think:
Manmade Underground Sites
- Disused mines, industrial tunnels, and storage facilities
- Remnants of Cold War-era public and private fallout shelters
- Abandoned military bunkers, missile silos, or NORAD installations
You can locate potential man-made sites by scouring online databases, topographic maps, and local town records for any listed underground facilities in your area.
Natural Underground Formations
- Cave networks, caverns, and lava tubes
- Subterranean rivers, tunnels and passages
- Abandoned quarries and excavation pits
While harder to find, natural underground spaces like these can make phenomenal nuclear shelters if located and properly outfitted.
When assessing any potential bunker site, a few key criteria should be met:
- Depth of at least 20-30 feet underground for adequate shielding
- Multiple air intake/exhaust vents for ventilation
- Accessible entries and exits (cave-ins are a big hazard)
- Ample space to stock supplies and house your household long-term
Popular Nuclear Bunkers in North America
Bunker Name | Location | Features | Notes |
Raven Rock Mountain Complex | Blue Ridge Summit, PA | Underground Pentagon | Emergency ops centers for Army, Navy, Air Force |
Mount Weather Bunker | Bluemont, VA | Extensive underground facility | Once a secret hideaway for high-ranking officials |
Cheyenne Mountain Complex | El Paso County, CO | Deep inside a mountain | Designed to withstand nuclear blasts |
Peters Mountain Site | Virginia Appalachians | Remote and discreet | Part of Continuity of Government (COG) plans |
Greenbrier Bunker | White Sulphur Springs, WV | Luxurious Cold War hideout | Now a fascinating museum |
Iron Mountain Data Center | Boyers, PA | Former limestone mine | Repurposed as a secure data storage facility |
Titan Missile Museum | Sahuarita, AZ | Decommissioned missile silo | Offers guided tours |
Weldon Spring Bunker | Weldon Spring, MO | Once stored chemical weapons | Now an eerie relic |
Seneca Army Depot | Romulus, NY | Massive underground storage | Previously held nuclear warheads |
Green Valley Lake Bunker | Green Valley Lake, CA | Hidden in the San Bernardino Mountains | Built during the Cold War |
The Bunker at The Greenbrier | White Sulphur Springs, WV | Lavish accommodations | Now open for tours |
Diefenbunker | Carp, Ontario, Canada | Not in the US, but worth mentioning | Once Canada’s top-secret nuclear shelter |
The Survival Condo | Kansas | Luxury condos in a former missile silo | Available for purchase |
Atlas E Missile Silo | Abilene, KS | Abandoned missile site | Explore the eerie underground chambers |
The Ark Two Shelter | Ontario, Canada | Massive community shelter | Constructed by a dedicated prepper |
The Vivos Group Bunkers | Various locations | Private underground communities | Membership-based survival shelters |
The 20th Century Castles | Various states | Decommissioned missile silos | Some available for purchase |
The Kansas Underground Salt Museum | Hutchinson, KS | Salt mine turned museum | Not a traditional bunker, but fascinating |
The Survival Center | McKenna, WA | Supplies and survival resources | Not a physical bunker, but a valuable resource |
Your Own Backyard Bunker | Anywhere you choose | DIY survival project | Customize it to your needs |
Assessing and Fortifying Natural Bunkers
Let’s say you’ve identified a promising underground site – before moving in survival supplies, you’ll want to thoroughly survey and reinforce the location:
Structural Assessment
- Check for any cracks, fissures, or other instabilities that could cause collapse
- Ensure adequate ceiling height to stand and move comfortably
- Note any potential water seepage points to guard against flooding
Entry Hardening
- Clear debris and rubble from entrances/exits
- Consider installing reinforced blast doors or security gates
- Build ramps, stairs, or ladders for safe ingress/egress
Ventilation Setup
- Identify ceiling holes to install ventilation pipes
- Setup filtered air intake and exhaust system
- Consider backup power for running ventilation fans
Supply Stockpiling
- Store at minimum 2 weeks of non-perishable food and water
- Pack warm clothing, bedding, hygiene, and medical supplies
- Tools, fuel, batteries, lights, and backup power sources
- Entertainment like books, games, and radio to maintain morale
Thorough planning and outfitting of the bunker will be vital, as you may end up confined for weeks or months in the aftermath of a nuclear event.
Good with hands? Then:
Build an Affordable DIY Bunker
Here’s how:
Step 1: Dig a Trench
Locate a level spot at least 50 feet from buildings or trees to dig your lifesaving trench. Dig a 3-foot wide, 5-foot deep trench with an extra 11 feet of length to accommodate 4 people. Add 3 more feet per additional person.
Step 2: Entrances and Ventilation
At one end, dig a 5-foot sloped entrance for easy access. On the opposite side, create a 2×3.5-foot ventilation crawlspace tunnel near the surface for airflow and an emergency exit path.
Step 3: Weather Protection
Once trenched, drape waterproof tarps over each end to shed rain and fallout debris. Secure them to form an overhead canopy sheltering the interior.
Step 4: Overhead Support
Position wooden logs or poles across the top, overhanging the edges by a foot to help bear the soil’s weight above. Around 20 logs should be enough for an average shelter.
Step 5: Seal Gaps
Seal any cracks between the logs with leaves, cloth, or other materials to block dirt filtration.
Step 6: Soil Insulation
Mound 18 inches of your excavated soil over the top of the log with plastic sheeting, then add another 18-inch soil layer for radiation shielding. For about $500 in basic supplies from any hardware store, you’ve constructed a legitimate, life-saving fallout bunker right in your own backyard.
A small price for the ultimate homestead insurance policy! Make sure to check local legislation before any construction.
Can’t Secure a Bunker?
For those unable to construct or find shelter, seek out the most heavily shielded location like a basement or concrete structure’s interior. Underground basements provide decent protection, but a soil-covered shelter trumps them.
The heaviest radiation travels downward initially, which that dirt blanket is precisely designed to block. While similar to brick or concrete bunkers, soil insulation gives DIY shelters an edge.
So while not as impervious as a purpose-built military bunker, your own custom fallout shelter could be the difference between shielding your family to safety or leaving them frighteningly exposed.
Balancing Preparedness and Practical Concerns
There’s a balance to strike when it comes to nuclear prepping. On one extreme, you have the hardcore “doomsday preppers” devoting their lives to surviving an all-out apocalypse. On the other, the blissfully unaware majority put zero thought into emergency preparedness.
The wise homesteader charts a prudent middle path, rationally considering likely scenarios.
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