Bernard Jones Jr. and his wife, Doris, spared no expense when constructing their dream home. Their vision included a luxurious grotto swimming pool with a cascading waterfall for hot summer days, a cozy home theater for winter evenings, a bountiful fruit orchard for fall harvests, and a vast underground bunker in case of emergencies. Bernard expressed his concerns about the world’s safety, highlighting their desire to be prepared for any situation.
Concealed beneath a nondescript metal hatch near their private basketball court, a hidden staircase descends into a subterranean haven equipped with sleeping quarters for up to 25 individuals, multiple bathrooms, and two fully stocked kitchens, all powered by a self-sustaining energy source. With provisions for water, electricity, clean air, and food, the couple felt confident in facing potential disasters, including a nuclear attack, from their serene abode in California’s Inland Empire.
Despite reluctantly selling their home two years ago, Bernard emphasized the escalating nuclear threats and the urgent need for preparedness. Global security experts have noted a significant increase in weapons spending, reaching $91.4 billion last year, prompting a surge in private bunker sales worldwide. Critics caution that relying on bunkers may foster a false sense of security regarding survivability in the event of a nuclear war, diverting attention from the pressing dangers posed by nuclear proliferation.
While government disaster authorities argue against the necessity of bunkers, citing FEMA guidelines that prioritize seeking shelter indoors during a nuclear detonation, buyers continue to invest in these secure facilities. Industry projections indicate a growing market for bomb and fallout shelters in the United States, estimated to reach $175 million by 2030, driven by concerns over nuclear and terrorist threats, civil unrest, and other catastrophic events.
Atlas Survival Shelters CEO Ron Hubbard, overseeing operations at his bunker factory in Sulphur Springs, Texas, emphasized the surge in demand amid global uncertainties, including the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical conflicts. Hubbard’s versatile bunkers are designed to withstand various disasters, from natural calamities like tornadoes and hurricanes to human-made crises such as nuclear fallout and pandemics. Reflecting on recent events, including Russia’s hypersonic missile attack on Ukraine, Hubbard highlighted the heightened interest in secure shelter options and the importance of preparedness for unforeseen emergencies.
He mentioned that callers inquire about the prices ranging from $20,000 to multimillions, with an average of $500,000, and installations that can be placed almost anywhere. He stated that he typically sells at least one bunker each day. In Hubbard’s doomsday scenario, the escalation of global tensions could result in World War III, a scenario he is prepared to face. “The silver lining about nuclear warfare,” he explained, “if there is any, is that it is quite survivable if one survives the initial blast.” This sentiment is echoed by U.S. government disaster preparedness experts.
Brooke Buddemeier, a radiation safety specialist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, emphasized that fallout exposure can be prevented as it occurs post-detonation. He advises seeking shelter away from where the radioactive particles settle to ensure safety for oneself and family members. Buddemeier and his team are dedicated to assessing post-attack scenarios and strategies for survival. The U.S. government is focused on educating Americans on how to respond effectively, moving away from outdated practices like hiding under desks during nuclear attack drills decades ago.
Following a catastrophic blast, individuals located a mile or more from ground zero will have approximately 15 minutes before radioactive fallout reaches them, as explained by Michael Dillon, a scientist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Dillon suggests seeking refuge in a sturdy building to shield oneself from the fallout, with the possibility of needing to remain indoors for a day or two before evacuating.
The government’s efforts to inform the public were reinforced after a false missile alert in Hawaii in 2018 led to widespread panic. The incident prompted the federal government to issue guidelines on preparing for a nuclear attack, advocating for finding shelter in a basement or the core of a substantial structure and remaining there until further instructions are received.
Advocates for nonproliferation question the effectiveness of underground bunkers and shelters in the event of a nuclear war, arguing that they serve more to provide psychological comfort than genuine protection. Jeffrey Schlegelmilch, from the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University, emphasized that the impact of a nuclear detonation can vary, and seeking shelter in a substantial building could potentially save lives if only a limited number of weapons are involved.
Alicia Sanders-Zakre from the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons emphasized the devastating impact of radiation as a unique aspect of nuclear weapons. She stressed that even surviving a nuclear fallout does not prevent long-lasting health crises spanning generations. Sanders-Zakre advocated for the elimination of nuclear weapons as the only solution to protect populations from nuclear war.
Sam Lair, a researcher at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, highlighted how U.S. leaders have shifted away from discussing bunkers, as it incurs political costs by making people confront the grim realities of post-nuclear war scenarios. Despite the potential short-term effectiveness of bunkers, Lair believes the aftermath of a nuclear exchange would be far more severe than most anticipate, fundamentally altering our way of life.
Massachusetts Congressman James McGovern, a longtime advocate for nonproliferation, expressed concerns about the lack of debate surrounding the massive expenditure on modernizing the U.S. nuclear arsenal. McGovern stressed the catastrophic consequences of nuclear weapon use and urged a focus on nuclear disarmament as a critical priority.
Rejecting FEMA’s emphasis on seeking shelter in the event of a nuclear attack, McGovern criticized the notion of merely knowing where to hide as insufficient preparation. He condemned casual discussions about nuclear weapon utilization, highlighting the global devastation such actions would bring.
Meanwhile, a couple in Southern California discovered an unexpected feature in the home they purchased – a bunker beneath the basketball court. Despite not being overly concerned about nuclear war, they stocked the bunker with supplies for emergencies, providing a sense of security for themselves and their friends.
Overall, the need to address nuclear weapons and their potential consequences remains a pressing issue that requires concerted global effort and prioritization of disarmament over militarization.
ress receives support for nuclear security coverage from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and Outrider Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.—-Additional AP coverage of the nuclear landscape: https://apnews.com/projects/the-new-nuclear-landscape/
ress gratefully acknowledges the generous support provided for its nuclear security coverage by the esteemed Carnegie Corporation of New York and the esteemed Outrider Foundation. It is with their invaluable assistance that ress is able to bring you in-depth reporting on this critical subject. The AP upholds the highest standards of journalistic integrity and is solely responsible for ensuring the accuracy and impartiality of all content produced.
For further exploration of the intricate nuclear landscape, we invite you to delve into the additional AP coverage available at the following link: https://apnews.com/projects/the-new-nuclear-landscape/. Here, you will find a wealth of resources and insights that shed light on various aspects of nuclear issues, offering a comprehensive view of the challenges and developments shaping this complex domain.
