American families buy $50,000 worth of nuclear bombs amid growing controversy between the US and Russia that could lead to WWIII.
The lodge’s founder told DailyMail.com that ‘this past year in particular has been busier than any other year.’
Todd Stump, who owns the Ohio-based USA Bunker Company, has sold hundreds of bunkers from the Far East. Pennsylvania as far west as California.
Ready-to-move and high-quality bunkers include the comforts of home, such as kitchens and bedrooms, and some have artificial windows that give the feeling of being upstairs.
Prefabricated bunkers are made of quarter-inch steel plates, while shelters are made of reinforced concrete and heavy-gauge walls, ranging from eight by 20 feet to 1,000 square feet or more.
These rooms are built to survive anything from extreme weather or any man-made disaster, to nuclear warterrorists, chemical or biological attacks,” Stump said.
‘Many people are worried about the way things are going in the world, and they just want the peace of mind to know if something happens, that they have the opportunity to choose not to worry anymore. he added.
America is home to the ‘prepper’ movement – with the number of people in the survival category doubling to 20 million since 2017, according to a recent study.
Stump handles everything from shipping to permits to installation (USA Bunker Company)
Demand for bunkers has risen since the COVID pandemic (USA Bunker Company)
While many focus on preserving their homes or strengthening their basements, those with lasting wealth turn to auction houses, often in former military facilities.
However, Stump has made his accommodation for the middle class because they also need protection from a nuclear attack on US soil.
He has been building bunkers since 2012 and said he saw demand start to rise after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Momentum continues to grow amid international tensions and the war in Ukraine.
He said that people’s needs are often the same: ‘They want to be able to filter small particles of chemicals, biological or radiation from the air, and something that is safe for people to break. They want that special protection.
Some clients expect to spend months in hiding in the event of a disaster.
“They want to spend days, weeks, even months inside a shelter, and have all the household items, and things to keep you safe and alive,” Stump said.
Stump said his company handles everything from building permits to shipping and installation for his clients, and he visits sites to make sure everything is organized and running smoothly.
Most families want the comfort of home even after the apocalypse begins (USA Bunker Company)
Blast-proof doors help families anticipate the worst (USA Bunker Company(
Basic installations start at $50,000 but regular models can reach $500,000 (USA Bunker Company)
He started the company after he decided to buy his bunker and found that two or three US companies did not meet his expectations.
“It sent me down an underground rabbit hole,” he said, “there were no companies out there that had any knowledge of emergency preparedness, disaster preparedness, you know, security or threat response,” Stump said.
‘I thought I’d just start my own company and build my own, because I don’t want to put my safety in their hands when they don’t have the knowledge.
‘I have with me, from five years of military, combat experience, and 15 years of law enforcement.’
With demand growing, Stump says he is focusing on a new market coming next year, with high-quality, built-to-order concrete bunkers.
Stump says, ‘We have several contracts, which we will be starting in the spring of 2025. All other types of bunkers are high in the $500,000 range.’
