When Bernard Jones Jr. and his wife Doris designed their ideal residence, discretion was not in their plans. They incorporated features such as a grotto swimming pool complete with a waterfall, a home theater for those cozy winter nights, a fruit orchard to yield harvests in the fall, and an expansive underground bunker prepared for any catastrophic events.
Jones explained their reasoning, stating, “The world’s not becoming a safer place. We wanted to be prepared.” This underground area is accessed through an inconspicuous metal hatch near a private basketball court, descending into a space with sleeping accommodations for around 25 individuals, alongside bathrooms and two kitchens, all powered by a sustainable energy source.
With provisions for clean air, food, water, and electricity, they believed they were prepared for any emergency, even a nuclear explosion, in their serene home situated in California’s Inland Empire. Reflecting on their considerations, Jones stated, “If there was a nuclear strike, would you rather go into the living room or go into a bunker? If you had one, you’d go there too.” He mentioned that he had to sell the home reluctantly two years ago.
Recent warnings from global security experts indicate an escalating nuclear threat, with weapons funding soaring to $91.4 billion last year. Parallel to this increase, the market for private bunker sales is witnessing a surge, ranging from simple metal shelters to lavish underground residences.
However, some critics argue that these bunkers may foster a misleading perception that survival in the event of nuclear warfare is possible. They contend that individuals preparing to wait out an atomic strike are not concentrating on the imminent risks posed by nuclear threats and the urgent need to curtail the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Conversely, government experts on disaster management assert that bunkers are not critical. A comprehensive FEMA guide on nuclear incidents emphasizes the necessity for individuals to seek shelter indoors and remain there, preferably in basements or central areas of buildings, for a minimum of 24 hours. These existing structures can effectively provide safety against radioactive fallout, according to FEMA.
The desire for security has increasingly drawn buyers towards bunkers. A market research report predicts the U.S. bomb and fallout shelter market will expand from $137 million last year to $175 million by 2030. The report attributes the rise to factors such as heightened anxiety over nuclear or terrorist threats and civil disturbances.
CEO of Atlas Survival Shelters, Ron Hubbard, shared insights into the surge in demand, attributing it to growing unease among people wanting a secure haven for their families and the notion that it is preferable to have a shelter and not need it than to require one and not possess it. Amid the sounds of welding and sparks at his factory in Sulphur Springs, Texas, he noted that events like the COVID lockdowns, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the Israel-Hamas conflict have all contributed to increased sales.
On a notable day, following Russia’s experimental hypersonic missile attacks on Ukraine, Hubbard reported an influx of inquiries, culminating in four bunker purchases within one day. Hubbard ensured that his shelters are constructed for diverse disasters, saying they would offer protection from tornadoes, hurricanes, nuclear fallout, pandemics, and even volcanic eruptions.
While showcasing various bunkers under construction, Hubbard revealed that prices for his structures range from $20,000 to several million dollars, with an average unit costing around $500,000. He usually sells at least one bunker a day and envisions a world where escalating global tensions could potentially culminate in World War III. “The good news about nuclear warfare,” he added, “if there ever was any, is that it is quite survivable, provided you are not killed in the initial explosion.”
Despite Hubbard’s optimism, U.S. government experts in disaster readiness maintain a different perspective. Brooke Buddemeier, a radiation safety specialist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, emphasizes that fallout exposure is preventable by simply seeking shelter indoors post-detonation. According to Buddemeier, after a nuclear explosion, individuals above a mile away from the center would need to remain inside for approximately one to two days to ensure safety.
The government is also taking steps to educate the population on nuclear readiness, especially after a false alarm missile threat in Hawaii in 2018, which sent residents into panic mode. The emergency alert instructed the public to seek shelter, yet many were left unclear about what action to take.
Today, the federal government provides guidance for preparing for a nuclear incident that urges individuals to remain in a basement or central location in a building, potentially for several days until receiving further instructions. One piece of advice includes gently brushing pets to remove any fallout particles, highlighting the valuable 15-minute window provided for minimizing radiation exposure.
Discussions regarding readiness, however, clash with the views of nonproliferation advocates, who argue that bunkers create a false sense of security. Alicia Sanders-Zakre, an advocate from the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, expressed that bunkers serve more to allow people to endure the psychological burden of nuclear war rather than assist in actual survival.
Critics like researcher Sam Lair argue that U.S. leaders largely abandoned talk of bunkers, fearing the political backlash of reviving anxiety over nuclear attacks. He believes that while survival in a nuclear crisis might be more feasible than previously thought, the aftermath would be even more devastating, fundamentally transforming society.
Congressman James McGovern has voiced concerns regarding the effectiveness of bunkers for years, arguing instead for a focus on nuclear arms reduction and nonproliferation efforts. He has continually introduced legislation aimed at curtailing the spread of nuclear weaponry, expressing disappointment over the lack of serious discussions surrounding it.
McGovern lamented the casual manner in which some world leaders discuss nuclear attacks, emphasizing the catastrophic consequences such actions would unleash, not only on the directly involved parties but for the global community at large. He criticized the FEMA’s suggestion that people prepare for nuclear incidents merely by seeking shelter, calling it a chilling and naïve perspective on a deeply serious matter.
The Jones family had different considerations when they were searching for their home in Southern California, prioritizing space for their car collection. They stumbled upon a property boasting eight parking spots, only to discover the added feature of a bunker beneath a basketball court. Following familial decisions, they sold their home to another family who, while not particularly concerned about potential nuclear threats, find comfort in the thought of having a secure place stocked with food and medical supplies.
“Friends have been informed to come over quickly if anything goes awry,” said the new homeowner, reflecting on the added layer of security the bunker represents for his family.