The older among us remember that during the original Cold War, there were public fallout shelters all over the US (often in basements of various commercial and government buildings). The particular one I recall from my childhood was under the Shamrock Hilton Hotel parking garage near Houston's medical center.

We are clearly now in Cold War II with a bubble headed nutjob threatening the use of nuclear weapons if he doesn't get his way in Ukraine. My question is, are any of those shelters still open and ready? I haven't noticed any in decades. We just moved out to the Magnolia area and if there is still a fallout shelter around here, I'd like to mark the location on Google Earth.

If it's not stocked for 2w-1month of food and water it's pointless.

Russia and most of Europe has fallout shelters all over the place.

The US does not. We're totally exposed when SHTF. I've been in several of the old ones here including one really notable one in NYC. They were all abandoned decades ago, not anywhere near ready for service. In complete disrepair.

Buck Turgidson said:

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The older among us remember that during the original Cold War, there were public fallout shelters all over the US (often in basements of various commercial and government buildings). The particular one I recall from my childhood was under the Shamrock Hilton Hotel parking garage near Houston's medical center.

We are clearly now in Cold War II with a bubble headed nutjob threatening the use of nuclear weapons if he doesn't get his way in Ukraine. My question is, are any of those shelters still open and ready? I haven't noticed any in decades. We just moved out to the Magnolia area and if there is still a fallout shelter around here, I'd like to mark the location on Google Earth.

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If you are going to be allowed in to one then you will have knowledge of the location.

Outside of that, a suburban parking garage / mall would be a decent backup plan.

Buck Turgidson said:

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The older among us remember that during the original Cold War, there were public fallout shelters all over the US (often in basements of various commercial and government buildings). The particular one I recall from my childhood was under the Shamrock Hilton Hotel parking garage near Houston's medical center.

We are clearly now in Cold War II with a bubble headed nutjob threatening the use of nuclear weapons if he doesn't get his way in Ukraine. My question is, are any of those shelters still open and ready? I haven't noticed any in decades. We just moved out to the Magnolia area and if there is still a fallout shelter around here, I'd like to mark the location on Google Earth.

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Our church in Austin had two basements. One was under the sanctuary and was like a garage that was used for storage. The other was under the fellowship hall and was where the youth Sunday school, confirmation, and recreational activities met. I think the Scout troop they sponsored met there too. It was built in the late 1950s. As a kid in the 1970s and 1980s I still remember the fallout shelter signs for these basements. Last time I was there in the early 2000s the signs, like the Cold War, were gone.

I swear there was one on campus at one point that was like a cafe or study center.

Maybe in that Math building in the late 80's/early 90's

If fusion bombs are used, fallout shelters are of limited utility.

To heck with fallout shelters. Y'all just meet me at the Chicken. First (last?) round is on me.

Just paint your house….

AgFormerlyInIrving said:

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Manhattan said:

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If it's not stocked for 2w-1month of food and water it's pointless.

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Not if you're willing to dine on your fellow inhabitants.

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Alferd Packer approves.

So what you are saying is the government has been gaslighting us since before I was born.

This focuses on Canada but it holds true for most of us in the event of a major nuclear exchange. Synopsis: even surviving the initial strike you're pretty screwed

Tanya 93 said:

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I swear there was one on campus at one point that was like a cafe or study center.

Maybe in that Math building in the late 80's/early 90's

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Northgate Post Office

Yes but it has to be leaded paint

My workplace has three independent MIRVs targeted here, so the whole thing would be over in a flash for me.

Just duck and cover

Rapier108 said:

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The best place to be in the event of nuclear war is right next to a primary target.

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Truf, I don't want any suffering from that business. Would be like flipping a light switch

Urban Ag said:

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Emotional Support Cobra said:

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I mean, do you really want to survive the apocalypse?

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I do. Rural America will not be fine, but we'll have a chance.

Y'all in the cities are fooked. Sorry.

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It is just the opposite. Those near ground zero will die instantly.. Those further out will die of radiation effects... Those way out there will die by the "mad max" crowd.

AgFormerlyInIrving said:

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Manhattan said:

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If it's not stocked for 2w-1month of food and water it's pointless.

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Not if you're willing to dine on your fellow inhabitants.

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Like the wise philosophy of Jeffery Dahmer once said, "even when the food runs out, we'll always have each other…"

As I said, we'll have a chance.

Most of the responses above assume all out war with thousands of nuclear detonations. There is also a scenario in which a limited exchange occurs. Houston is considered a top 5 target. One big nuke in downtown Houston means there would be no wind or heat damage in Magnolia, and would require about 7 days in the shelter before the fallout significantly reduces (depending on wind direction).

In any case, it appears that most of the public shelters are gone now.

They'll hit refinery row before downtown, in a limited exchange.

RIP McInnis Fallout Shelter

Repurpose remaining shelters to be housing for the housing challenged.

Larry S Ross said:

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No need. I was told all during elementary school to just get under desk and cover my head. All good.

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Yep. None of those fallout shelters are going to do anything. If your anywhere near a point of impact...game over unless your the president or congress. And for those within a certain proximity to prevailing winds...who really wants to stick around and watch their loved ones die an agonizing death?
I guess you could go hide in the country and hunt irradiated game.