Anybody with an extra $1.6 million lying around can have a completely self-sustained, luxury 1,600 square foot underground house in Las Vegas, complete with a pool, Jacuzzi and wet bar. The property was built in the 1970s by a man weary of nuclear holocaust, and was put on the market in September.
Thankfully you don’t need to be a millionaire to keep your family safe when an extinction-level event occurs. You can build a bunker for less than $10,000 with proper due diligence and effort.
Logistics
Unfortunately, those who live within a few yards of their neighbors and/or in an urban area will likely not be permitted to build a bunker, nor is it recommended. A secret bunker is a safe bunker. It would be nearly impossible to discretely move thousands of concrete blocks and your backhoe rental into your backyard without everyone noticing. Building a bunker is only realistic for those with the land and space to do it. City codes will also dictate the project’s feasibility.
Menifee, Calif. is a perfect example of potential government interference. The city blocked a code allowing residents to build bunkers earlier this year, most of whom are concerned by the fact the San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant is only 60 miles away. After much protest, the city finally approved the ordinance in September. Call your city clerk to find out about the laws in your area (just don’t use your real name when you call). Also avoid building a bunker on a flood plain.
Basic Construction
The roof of your bunker needs to be covered by at least 3 feet of earth, so 10 total feet is a safe, minimum depth for the unit. The U.S. military does have bunker buster bombs in its artillery, however. You will need to go 25 feet or more to survive a blast from one, but keep in mind where the waterline is in your area (more on this later).
FEMA actually used to provide Americans with useful information, particularly basic bunker blueprints. You want concrete walls, ideally with steel reinforcement. Metal beams will be needed to support the roof due to the massive weight. Make certain to leave a few holes in the roof to string down an air pump for ventilation and a Geiger counter. You’ll also want a chimney for a wood-burning stove. A chemical toilet and septic tank are absolute necessities for obvious reasons.
Supplies
Humans can survive 30 days or longer without food, but only about 72 hours without water. Make sure you have enough water on hand to survive at least six months, figuring each person needs about one gallon per day for maximum comfort. Long term stays in a bunker will require you to drill a pipe through the floor until you hit the water line. Fit an old-fashioned hand-press water pump to it and you’ll have clean water on demand. Stock as much canned and dried food as possible, keeping in mind that a half-can of beans per day will keep you alive when supplies run low.
Blankets, candles, matches, firewood and ammunition should also be abundant from the start. Board games, books and other non-electronic entertainment will keep you sane until the coast is clear. A hand-cranked radio can keep you up-to-date on what’s happening in the world above, assuming a signal can reach you.
Lisa Harris
Lisa is a hunting and fishing outdoorswoman from Montana.
