Should I Build An Underground Bunker?

Ask most preppers and survivalists “if you could have anything what would it be?” One of the top answers would be “A fully stocked bunker.” 

Maybe it is because many of us grew up during the cold war worrying about Soviet nukes landing on us at any minute. Maybe it is because we grew up in an area with catastrophic weather patterns like tornados. 

Why?

Bunkers can serve many purposes; they can double as a man cave, fortress of solitude, home office or even a hidden safe-room for your family. 

While the threat of nuclear war has diminished some, dangerous weather patterns seem to be ever increasing.

Any number of threats can be ridden out in a fully stocked bunker.

So what is a bunker?

In its simplest form a bunker is nothing more than a hole in the ground to hide in. Think fox hole. On the other end of the scale are abandoned missile silos that have been turned into underground bunker homes.

In the extreme think of NORAD in Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado, a hollow mountain fortified to survive direct nuclear hits.

Can you afford it?

Underground bunkers that work aren’t cheap. If you are just planning on storm shelter you might be able to get away with making it yourself. But if you plan on a bunker that will keep you and yours safe for weeks on end be prepared to fork over some serious cash.

What kind?

So if you can afford it what do you want to get? There are many companies out there who will build you a custom fully stocked bunker. A  quick internet search should turn up one that can meet your needs.

A step down are shelters that you take a bury yourself. These range from prefab kits to section of large diameter culvert that you turn into your bunker.

Can you even if you wanted to?

One thing many people don’t take into account is the feasibility of building a bunker on their site. In many parts of the country the water table is very near the surface, while this can be engineered around it adds significantly to the cost. In other places bedrock lies mere inches below the surface.

One final consideration is security.  Unless you can disguise digger your bunk with another project like building a garage or putting in a pool, most anyone who looks will see that you are building something in your back yard and know where to come when the chips are down.

Bunkers aren’t for everyone, be sure to weigh all your options before undertaking such a large commitment of resources

Category: Questions to The Editor