Castle or Coffin?

In disasters, should you stay and die or, go and live? Is it really this simple? The decision to leave one’s home in the face of an impending disaster is surely one of the most difficult decisions we will ever make. Is bugging in for hurricanes, tornados and earthquakes really your best option? Is fleeing to safety the key to surviving an earthquake or flood? Is having a storm shelter in your basement a guarantee that you’ll survive the next EF 4 tornado that tears through Tornado Alley?  In this post, I’m going to discuss why sheltering in place, also known as bugging in, might be safer.

A Fortified Home

There’s a dangerous myth that bugging out should be the default option for disaster response. Hollywood is largely responsible for this and, sadly, so are many preppers. By far, your best option is to hunker down at home. Even with supplies minimal, you’re safer at home. You have access to all your supplies, including food and water and, you’re protected from the elements.

There’s the added benefit of being in a familiar place and psychologically, the home field advantage can be a formidable defense against uncertainty. It’s also highly likely that you can appeal to neighbors for help, depending upon the duration and scope of the disaster. An additional bonus is that you and the neighbors can form mutual aid pacts well before disaster strikes to increase the odds of everyone staying safe and comfortable, given the circumstances.

FEMA and other preparedness experts advise that you be able to survive without outside assistance for three weeks. Your goal is self-reliance and be sure to download the checklists. You can create a safe room in the attic, basement or an inner room on the ground floor. Depending upon your home’s layout, you might be able to create a hidden room under the stairs or in the corner of a basement.

It’s a safe bet that there are literally hundreds of books on how to turn your home into a hardened bunker, trespass-resistant homestead or high security castle. You’re only limited by your imagination, budget and what the law allows in your area.

At a minimum, you should use solid core doors and reinforce the strike plates with three inch to three and a half inch screws, that penetrate to the studs for extra strength. Security bars that fit horizontally across the door or fit under the knob and rest on the floor are another effective option.

Windows can be covered with a transparent security film that resist breaking and holds broken windows together. This gives you time to counter-attack or, better yet, call for help. Those who are planning something evil, rarely want to be seen. Flood lights are another time-tested defense. Instead of flooding the area with enough light for bad actors see what they’re doing, what if the light, once triggered, flashes in a strobe pattern? Aside from being disorienting, it will attract attention.

Security cameras are always a strong choice, highly versatile and many don’t require professional installation. You can go for wireless or wired camera set ups. Both have advantages and disadvantages so do your research to determine which set up best meets your needs. You can add security through landscaping and plantings as well as driveway sensors and pressure mats in front of doors and windows. As I said, you’re limited only by your budget, imagination and the law.   

Being Wary of Strangers   

Our evolutionary history tells us that it’s wise to be wary of strangers. History also tells us that we tend to shake hands with our right hand, our dominant hand, to show that we’re unarmed and have peaceful intentions. Of course, we now know that both propositions can be quite false. The underlying caution here is that in times past, strangers were highly likely to accost you when encountered on an open stretch of road quiet part of town. Eh, while we’re beyond this, many are always somewhat guarded when meeting new people.

In an SHTF scenario or, the aftermath of a mild disaster, it’s difficult to know the level of desperation of others, particularly strangers. Given that the current population of the United States, as of 2024 is 340 million people and roughly 10 – 20 million people identify as preppers, it’s a certainty that you’ll encounter the unprepared and truly desperate. How you respond to this is crucial and in an SHTF situation, such an encounter is not likely to end well.    

If you look as desperate and malnourished as those you encounter, they may conclude that you have nothing of value and allow you to pass. However, if you’re in a minivan or SUV heavily laden with food, water, solar generators and the like, you’re the answer to their unholy prayers. Even in rural settings, you will still encounter other people. Not everyone is planning a well-coordinated ambush to relieve you of your supplies. You’ll need to quickly and carefully sus out what the other person or party is thinking and planning.  

Somewhere to Go

So, here’s the thing about bugging out, you need a place to go. That place can be your buddy’s hunting cabin three hours away, Grandma’s house upstate or you simply head for the hills.  Your buddy’s hunting cabin and Grandma’s are good options, providing that you have a means of getting there. Heading for the hills is, quite frankly, stupid and could land you in a world of trouble or get you killed. Having a place to go is nonnegotiable.

Traipsing through the woods becomes deadly once the temperature drops or in inclement weather. The patch of woods in which you’re thinking of pitching your tent either belongs to a private party, a corporation or the government. In an SHTF situation, trespassing will be a nonstarter. You’re not just camping; you’re stealing scant resources from someone else. There’s also the dynamic of other people having the same stupid, dangerous idea and unlike you, they’re committed to doing whatever it takes to survive.

Regardless of whether you’re on foot, in a vehicle or a convoy of bicycles, have a place to go and know how to get there as safely and as quickly as possible. If the interstate is impassable, what about secondary and tertiary roads? Are the bike paths and walking trails a viable option? Can you follow the railroad tracks out of town? Are any of the waterways navigable and are you competent enough to do so? Are you confident in your level of competence? If the answer is no, and it’s safe to do so, sheltering in place if your best option.   

Incognito

You’re holed up in your home with all your supplies and comfort items. If you’re staying put for a week or three, there’s no reason to appreciably change your routine. However, if you’re facing an uncertain future, the return to normal is a long way away, you should lower your profile. Keeping a low profile keeps you safe, relatively speaking, and allows you to evaluate your situation as the larger crisis plays out. Cooking, turning on lights, using the bathroom and daily living are easier when you shelter in place.

Adapt or Die

In any situation, your greatest asset is your attitude. The ability to adapt, to quickly evaluate an evolving crisis with dynamic variables and decide upon a course of action is critical. You’re married to staying alive and safe, nothing else. How you achieve that is a moving target. All of this is easier when you shelter in place.