Concern about global calamities ranging from natural disasters to world conflicts is prompting some individuals to become exceptionally prepared for survival situations.
Stephanie Norman, who resides in the infamous ‘Tornado Valley’ of Oklahoma, USA, ensures she’s ready annually, maintaining her underground shelter stocked with essentials.
The content creator and mum-of-two gave a glimpse into her 7ft underground bunker beneath her home on TikTok, leaving viewers astounded.
She invested $25,000 (£19,631) in the bunker in 2018, complete with a sliding entrance door and removable steps to optimise space. Stephanie detailed that the shelter space could comfortably accommodate eight people, though it requires stooping once inside. “I’m 5ft 3ins and I cannot even stand up in here,” she revealed in the widely-shared TikTok video.
Further adding, Stephanie noted: “There is a lock on the door so if there was a tornado we could lock it just to be sure that the door wouldn’t blow open.”
She continued to describe the interior arrangement, and said: “There are two long benches that can go on both sides, but we only use one side just to save more space. The times that we have been in here, me and the kids sat on the floor so we don’t even really use the benches.”
Essential features within the bunker include several battery-operated lights, an emergency toilet bucket, and a stockpile of supplies. The supplies include nappies, baby wipes, tinned fruit, a carton of water, a torch, toilet roll, a blanket and food snacks.
Stephanie explained: “I will also pack a separate bag the day of severe weather that includes an extra set of clothing for everybody, chargers, toys for the kids, important documents, first aid kit, meds and keys.”
However, some people were puzzled about what would happen if Stephanie’s family home collapsed on top of the shelter.
One person asked: “If your house collapses onto your shelter is there ventilation, power, a potty? ” Another commented: “A storm shelter inside the house seems like a bad idea. I thought it was always out in the yard so you could get out in case the house collapsed.”
“What if the house comes down. How do you get out? ,” queried another. “Omg the panic I would have if I was stuck underground in that small area,” expressed one other.
But Stephanie clarified that they have a cable hoist in the bunker so that if she and her family do get trapped inside it, it can assist in opening the door again. She also mentioned: “Typically (not always) storm shelters are registered with local officials. So if there is a direct hit, they know where to look.”
Stephanie added: “There is a very slim chance that there would actually be a tornado but we like to be prepare because we do live in Tornado Alley.”
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