# Are there safe places in the usa to survive the end of the world? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 7, 2012, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-safe-places-in-the-usa-to-survive-the-end-of-the-world/643301 "2012-12-07T15:16:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![moriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@moriah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moriah)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2012, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-safe-places-in-the-usa-to-survive-the-end-of-the-world/643301/21 "2012-12-08T06:51:11Z")
I’ve already found a quiet place in North America to stay out of history’s way. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2012, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-safe-places-in-the-usa-to-survive-the-end-of-the-world/643301/22 "2012-12-08T07:10:02Z")
I grew up in southern Oregon and there was always an old legend about how we were apocalypse proof. I don’t know if there was any actual science behind it, but it had something to do with the mountains and prevailing winds. Of course, growing up in Oregon you also hear about any day we could have “a big one” (a previously dormant volcano or a giant earthquake, or both?) go off and cause worldwide destruction, Oregon being at the center of the destruction so there is a bit of a contradiction I think. ---
**Author:** ![Gymnopithys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/fbc32d/32.png) [@Gymnopithys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gymnopithys)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2012, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-safe-places-in-the-usa-to-survive-the-end-of-the-world/643301/23 "2012-12-08T09:17:28Z")
> [@chiroptera](#): > > I was thinking NORAD (aka Cheyenne Mountain Complex) and when googling, came up with this - which lists several places in the US suitable for surviving zombies, chemical warfare, natural phenomona, etc. > [http://justpiper.com/survival/nine-best-u-s-places-to-survive-the-apocalypse/](http://justpiper.com/survival/nine-best-u-s-places-to-survive-the-apocalypse/) A deep cave is just what you need **chiro**. Your choice here: > **[FAFA678 เว็บตรง API แท้100% สล็อตวอเลท ฝากถอนไม่มีขั้นต่ำ](https://www.caverbob.com/)** > > เว็บพนันออนไลน์ FAFA678 เป็นเว็บตรงที่ได้รับความนิยม ด้วยระบบฝากถอนไม่มีขั้นต่ำ ทำให้สะดวกสำหรับนักพนันทุกระดับ ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2012, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-safe-places-in-the-usa-to-survive-the-end-of-the-world/643301/24 "2012-12-08T14:35:15Z")
> [@GreasyJack](#): > > There’s a doomsday cult that lives in a complex of bunkers north of Yellowstone Park that has been pushing their end times date back since early 80’s, IIRC. I always found this amusing because the Yellowstone supervolcano erupting is one of the very few plausible end of the world scenarios out there and they are definitely toast if that happens. That’s quite funny. I would also be toast in central Colorado. Though for other events, I don’t mind that we are pretty isolated, have a spring on our property and live in a solar home. Shelter and water we got. The top two. I would, however, get very tired of eating chipmunk. ---
**Author:** ![Tamex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Tamex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamex)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2012, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-safe-places-in-the-usa-to-survive-the-end-of-the-world/643301/25 "2012-12-09T05:35:19Z")
> [@GreasyJack](#): > > There’s a doomsday cult that lives in a complex of bunkers north of Yellowstone Park that has been pushing their end times date back since early 80’s, IIRC. I always found this amusing because the Yellowstone supervolcano erupting is one of the very few plausible end of the world scenarios out there and they are definitely toast if that happens. Are they still around? I remember them from when I was a kid in Montana. One of the things that started me on this life of skepticism and agnosticism I live today. > [@FatBaldGuy](#): > > If you stay in your own house, you will be perfectly from any “end of the world” events on December 21. Crap. I have to go to work that day. ---
**Author:** ![Marconi\_N.Cheese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Marconi\_N.Cheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marconi_N.Cheese)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2012, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-safe-places-in-the-usa-to-survive-the-end-of-the-world/643301/26 "2012-12-09T06:54:21Z")
From [Conspiracy Theory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conspiracy_Theory_with_Jesse_Ventura) with Jesse Ventura, season 3, episode 4: “Ventura looks into rumors that the elite are building fortified retreats and underground bunkers in remote areas of the country in preparation for a doomsday event. He travels to Ozark, Missouri to investigate the construction of an alleged 75,000 sq. ft., “single-family,” fortified mansion owned by a satellite surveillance mogul and government defense contractor. Later, Ventura and his team are guided by a local informant to a massive underground warehouse facility, complete with railroad access, that is located in nearby Springfield, Missouri.” Oops, Ive said too much already ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2012, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-safe-places-in-the-usa-to-survive-the-end-of-the-world/643301/27 "2012-12-09T13:14:49Z")
> [@Tamex](#): > > Are they still around? I remember them from when I was a kid in Montana. One of the things that started me on this life of skepticism and agnosticism I live today. They’re still around, but since their leader started suffering from alzheimers and stepped down around 2000 (and eventually died a few years ago), it seems they’ve been toning down the doomsday talk and gone back to the sort of New Age-y self help movement they started as. The last scheduled doomsday was in 1990 and after it was averted with prayer they haven’t rescheduled. They have a “teaching center” in Livingston now, and there’s some splinter groups all over the country. I think part of why they’ve managed to survive instead of imploding like most doomsday cults is that their finances are pretty sound. It turns out the chunk of land they bought for their compound was a savvy investment-- in the 90’s, the valley became super trendy, with celebrities building luxury cabins and such, so the group has been able to sell small parcels of land for a very tidy profit. They still own the core of their “ranch” though (and presumably the bunkers) and hold events up there from time to time. (Incidentally here’s their somewhat disorganized wiki page-- it seems like about half of it is written by believers or at least sympathizers: [Church Universal and Triumphant](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_Universal_and_Triumphant)) ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2012, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-safe-places-in-the-usa-to-survive-the-end-of-the-world/643301/28 "2012-12-10T18:31:37Z")
> [@drastic\_quench](#): > > It’ll be a total bummer when you find out [Skald is] only hypothetically prepared. Actually I have a disaster-preparedness kit. There’s canned food, bottled water, guns, ammo, flashlights, batteries, three months worth of our meds, diapers, formula, clothes, batteries, two-way radios, and some other stuff. But if you’re not a relative or close friend, you ain’t getting access to any of that unless my wife insists. Well, that’s a lie. If there were an earthquake or whatnot and some little kid needed help, I’d help him or her. Rule 4. ---
**Author:** ![Tamex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Tamex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamex)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2012, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-safe-places-in-the-usa-to-survive-the-end-of-the-world/643301/29 "2012-12-10T22:58:36Z")
> [@GreasyJack](#): > > They’re still around, but since their leader started suffering from alzheimers and stepped down around 2000 (and eventually died a few years ago), it seems they’ve been toning down the doomsday talk and gone back to the sort of New Age-y self help movement they started as. The last scheduled doomsday was in 1990 and after it was averted with prayer they haven’t rescheduled. They have a “teaching center” in Livingston now, and there’s some splinter groups all over the country. > > I think part of why they’ve managed to survive instead of imploding like most doomsday cults is that their finances are pretty sound. It turns out the chunk of land they bought for their compound was a savvy investment-- in the 90’s, the valley became super trendy, with celebrities building luxury cabins and such, so the group has been able to sell small parcels of land for a very tidy profit. They still own the core of their “ranch” though (and presumably the bunkers) and hold events up there from time to time. > > (Incidentally here’s their somewhat disorganized wiki page-- it seems like about half of it is written by believers or at least sympathizers: [Church Universal and Triumphant](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_Universal_and_Triumphant)) Ah, yes, their last doomsday was just before I moved away in the spring of 1990. No one in Minnesota had any idea about the disaster that had recently been averted! ---
**Author:** ![bleibtreu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bleibtreu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bleibtreu)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-safe-places-in-the-usa-to-survive-the-end-of-the-world/643301/30 "2012-12-11T06:21:47Z")
If you can survive it anywhere on Earth, it is clearly **not** the end of the world. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-safe-places-in-the-usa-to-survive-the-end-of-the-world/643301/31 "2012-12-11T10:59:06Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > Yes. > PM me, and I will disclose my guaranteed end-of-the-world-safe location for a mere $10,000. BAH! Overpriced chiseler! Ignore him. Now, **me** , I’ll give you the _exact same quality information_, for a mere $5,000! _Think of it! 50% off!_ And I’ll throw in a bagel! That bagel _sure does sound good_, doesn’t it? Then buy your end-of-the-World information from me: Bosda! ---
**Author:** ![Tristan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tristan/32/18058_2.png) [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-safe-places-in-the-usa-to-survive-the-end-of-the-world/643301/32 "2012-12-11T15:35:06Z")
> [@GreasyJack](#): > > There’s a doomsday cult that lives in a complex of bunkers north of Yellowstone Park that has been pushing their end times date back since early 80’s, IIRC. I always found this amusing because the Yellowstone supervolcano erupting is one of the very few plausible end of the world scenarios out there and they are definitely toast if that happens. Are you referring to the “Church Universal and Triumphant” of the last 80’s and early 90’s fame? I believe they are no longer around as an organized group. I seem to recall my mother (a Montana resident at the time) saying that the “church” leaders had gotten themselves in some legal trouble in regards to both taxes and guns. ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-safe-places-in-the-usa-to-survive-the-end-of-the-world/643301/33 "2012-12-11T15:41:25Z")
> [@Tristan](#): > > Are you referring to the “Church Universal and Triumphant” of the last 80’s and early 90’s fame? I believe they are no longer around as an organized group. I seem to recall my mother (a Montana resident at the time) saying that the “church” leaders had gotten themselves in some legal trouble in regards to both taxes and guns. Yep, and they’re still sort of around (see post #26). The group has definitely splintered, but the original group still owns their compound. I hadn’t heard about tax issues, although like I mentioned, they can always sell off a chunk of land if they’re in trouble. They got some guff from the feds regarding their weapons stockpile, but that was true of pretty much everyone in 1990’s Montana. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![LeeshaJoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@LeeshaJoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LeeshaJoy)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-safe-places-in-the-usa-to-survive-the-end-of-the-world/643301/34 "2012-12-18T03:33:51Z")
> [@drastic\_quench](#): > > Western Idaho. > [ul] > [li]West of the Yellowstone super volcano’s eruption and fallout[/li][/ul] Uh, I live on the Idaho/Washington border, and about 99% of the rock in this area was laid down by the Yellowstone supervolcano. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![ddaug4uf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@ddaug4uf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ddaug4uf)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-safe-places-in-the-usa-to-survive-the-end-of-the-world/643301/35 "2012-12-18T03:36:33Z")
> [@moriah](#): > > I’ve already found a quiet place in North America to stay out of history’s way. Canada? ---
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-safe-places-in-the-usa-to-survive-the-end-of-the-world/643301/36 "2012-12-18T05:13:28Z")
> [@bleibtreu](#): > > If you can survive it anywhere on Earth, it is clearly **not** the end of the world. Thank you. Good grief! It’s not enough that the crazies believe it’s the end of the world…they then try to prepare for it. It’s The. End. Of. The. World. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-safe-places-in-the-usa-to-survive-the-end-of-the-world/643301/37 "2012-12-18T05:23:30Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Actually I have a disaster-preparedness kit. There’s canned food, bottled water, guns, ammo, flashlights, batteries, three months worth of our meds, diapers, formula, clothes, batteries, two-way radios, and some other stuff. I have a survival disaster-preparedness kit ready for the big event, too. It’s a pepperoni pizza. With extra cheese. ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-safe-places-in-the-usa-to-survive-the-end-of-the-world/643301/38 "2012-12-18T05:57:11Z")
> [@LeeshaJoy](#): > > Uh, I live on the Idaho/Washington border, and about 99% of the rock in this area was laid down by the Yellowstone supervolcano. :dubious: Sort of. Major tangent ahead. The most common rocks in eastern Washington into Idaho are the [Columbia River Basalt Group](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_River_Basalt_Group), which were a catastrophic series of huge effusive (i.e. runny Hawaii-style) eruptions. There is most likely _some_ relationship between the CRBG and the Yellowstone supervolcano-- the CRBG eruptions were about 17 million years ago in southeast Oregon/western Idaho, which just so happens to also be were and when the first of the explosive Yellowstone eruptions was. The super-thick basalt beds that cover your area are all millions of years old and aren’t the result of the periodic explosive eruptions that will spell doom for everyone east of Yellowstone. ---
**Author:** ![Yoyodyne\_Propulsion\_Systems](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/82dd89/32.png) [@Yoyodyne\_Propulsion\_Systems](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yoyodyne_Propulsion_Systems)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-safe-places-in-the-usa-to-survive-the-end-of-the-world/643301/39 "2012-12-18T12:13:11Z")
I have carefully removed all the junk from under my bed, will ride out doomsday there with the wife and cat, whereupon we will emerge to face the challenges of life without the internet or even basic cable…_shudder_ ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-safe-places-in-the-usa-to-survive-the-end-of-the-world/643301/40 "2012-12-18T12:28:45Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Actually I have a disaster-preparedness kit. There’s canned food, bottled water, guns, ammo, flashlights, batteries, three months worth of our meds, diapers, formula, clothes, batteries, two-way radios, and some other stuff. But if you’re not a relative or close friend, you ain’t getting access to any of that unless my wife insists. > > Well, that’s a lie. If there were an earthquake or whatnot and some little kid needed help, I’d help him or her. Rule 4. Or if you rescued an implausibly scantily clad trio of nymphomaniac strippers from the apocalypse. Rule 34. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-safe-places-in-the-usa-to-survive-the-end-of-the-world/643301.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-safe-places-in-the-usa-to-survive-the-end-of-the-world/643301.md?page=3)