
US Doomsday prepper reveals his fallout shelter stocked with survival gear amid fears of WWIII
A professional doomsday prepper has opened the door to his fallout shelter to share how he is preparing for World War III.
Derrick James, who owns and operates his own doomsday prepping company in Maine, has been interested in prepping for a world-ending catastrophe since childhood and actively stockpiling food since 2007.
He's prepared for a worst-case scenario in the US, filling his shelter with months of nonperishable food, giant water tanks, walkie-talkies, gasoline, solar panels, and blankets.
James's shelter is even prepared to clean his own water, keep the lights on in a blackout, and receive updates from the US government without needing to rely on the internet.
The doomsday prepper also shared several tips for those hoping to survive what he believes is an imminent war, including having an emergency go-bag, securing passports, and having cash on hand.
As the conflict between Israel and Iran remains in flux amid ongoing peace talks, James warned that anyone who started preparing for a nuclear war shouldn't get complacent - a new crisis could break out at any moment.
'Every event that we have lived through - whether it is COVID, the Iraq war, or hurricanes - brings in a new wave of preppers,' James said.
'Then the threat will go away and most people forget about it until another event comes along,' the 50-year-old prepper continued.
'My advice is to take a deep breath, come up with a plan that you can stick to, and don't stress yourself out. We are living in a fragile society, and things could unravel very quickly,' James explained to SWNS.
The doomsday prepper's shelter included multiple radios, power packs, and emergency equipment, as James warned that getting new gear could become virtually impossible in world war.
However, he noted that stocking a shelter full of food is a bigger priority than finding drinking water in an emergency.
His shelter included barrels of rice, beans, wheat, berries that could feed him for months. James also had shelves full of canned meats like tuna fish, jarred foods like peanut butter, and ready-to-eat meals that were full of calories and had long shelf lives.
James put building a 90-day supply of food at the top of his list because, in his view, food will be hard to gather in large quantities if a global emergency strikes.
'Anytime you get a food crisis, food is harder to come by. If you have food for 30 to 90 days, you can weather any storm that comes your way,' James said.
Although fellow doomsday preppers typically cite water as the top priority, since the human body can only go three days without water, James warned that global food supply chains will collapse quickly in a world war.
'The first thing for many people, honestly, could be having a week's worth of food in their home. Many people don't even have that,' James told the Are We F#ed? Podcast.
Finding and purifying water was another top tip, but people would likely nee to take different steps in securing water depending on the city or town they're living in
James said stocking up on clean water and water filters is still the second most important tip for doomsday preparations.
He noted that this step would look different depending on where a person was living, explaining that people in cities may have to purify water that they find by emptying pipes or toilet tanks.
Once you've secured food and water, James said it's important to invest in a hand-cranked radio, ham (amateur) radios, and walkie-talkies.
The prepper explained that cell towers and the internet could very likely be knocked out in a world war, meaning people will need ways of communicating and receiving information that don't rely on network signals.
'Being able to have access to an evacuation order is important, whether it is a natural disaster or a war,' James said.
'Virtually every person has a cell phone, I still see cell phones as an important survival tool - I suggest people have the means to power those when the grid goes down,' he explained.
As for your fuel and energy needs, having a supply of gasoline for a vehicle, propane for heat, portable generators if there's a blackout, and even solar panels to store reserve power can all help keep your shelter running if power goes out nationwide.
If you can no longer stay in the shelter you've prepared for doomsday, James had three final tips on what you'll need while fleeing the destruction of World War III.
The first is a go-bag, a backpack full of emergency supplies and vital documents that can be grabbed instantly as you evacuate your home or shelter.
However, one of the major issues people have while creating a go-bag is finding out that critical forms of identification, like a passport.
James urged everyone to make sure passports and other travel documents are up to date, should they need to evacuate on a moment's notice.
'More people are pursuing a second passport if it is available to them, a lot of countries now offer them in terms of heritage,' James added.
'This won't be an option for some people, but it is a growing topic in the prepping community. I'm in Maine, if something happens, I'm closer to Canada, it would be faster to go to Canada than to get to any other state,' he detailed.
Lastly, as more and more people strictly use credit cards and digital payment apps, James recommended having multiple forms of currency available, including paper money for more than one country.
'You need to protect your finances and make sure you have cash on hand. You need to diversify into things like silver, gold, and even crypto can be good if it is stored offline,' James explained.
'If another country is part of your plan B, make sure you have currencies in those countries. A global war could mean that banks freeze, ATMs go dark, and the dollar collapses,' the doomsday prepper warned.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
How to get the most out of your window air conditioner during extreme heat
The central and eastern US have been hit with a heatwave this week, with several cities recording their highest temperatures of the year thanks to a 'heat dome'. High humidity and night-time lows are contributing to oppressive and potentially dangerous weather, making it difficult for many people to keep cool. When one's abode starts to feel more like the inside of an armpit, air conditioning can provide sweet relief. But if you live in an older home or apartment, you're less likely to have central air. That means you have to drag out whatever machine you use to keep cool. Most often, this is a window air conditioning unit, says Darcy Carbone, vice-president of sales at APA HVAC Technologies and a member of the residential buildings committee at the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. These units cool, circulate, filter and dehumidify air in a home. But using a window unit means more than just sticking it on the sill and letting it rip. Here's what you need to know to use your AC efficiently and safely. Robert Polchinski, a professor at the New York City College of Technology who helps students enter the HVAC industry, agrees that most people opt for a window unit because it is affordable. Double-hung windows – the windows that open and close vertically – are also most suited for a window unit. Alternatively, a portable AC might be more compatible with your needs: for example, if your windows crank outward. However, portable units are typically more expensive, use more energy and are less effective at cooling spaces. When you bring out your AC unit from wherever you stashed it through the winter, it's wise to go through a quick list of check-ups before putting it in the window and flipping the switch. You should repeat these actions at the end of the season, too. Taking the appropriate steps can help your AC unit last longer and protect you from unintended side effects. Clean the filters: Start by cleaning the unit's filter. If you remove the front panel, you'll see the filter, which you can slide out. These are washable, Carbone explains. Shake off any debris, wash the filter by hand with a mild dish detergent, then rinse. If you want to clean your filters again after the unit is in the window, be sure to turn off and unplug the AC first. 'Filters should be washed at the beginning of the season,' Polchinski says. 'Generally, once a year should be enough. But depending on how dirty the air is in the environment, they may need to be cleaned more than once during the season.' Check the coils: Next, Carbone recommends assessing the AC's coils. A unit has two sets of coils: evaporator coils and the condenser coils. Evaporator coils help remove hot air from your home and are located behind the filter. Condenser coils expel heat and are located at the back of the unit, near the vents. You'll want to take care of these before the unit is in the window. Remove the unit's outer casing, then use a vacuum with a hose attachment to clean off any dust and debris from the coils, says Polchinski. Allow condensation to drain: Air conditioning units create condensation, and that water has to go somewhere. Some have built-in pans, and some need to be precisely level, while others need to sit at a slope. This last group should be installed so the unit's rear is slightly tilted downward, which helps drain away any condensed water. 'You don't want to accumulate sitting water, which could lead to all kinds of bad scenarios, like a mold build-up or a potential spot for mosquito breeding,' Polchinski says. He also cautions that if the water is warm enough, this could lead to legionella, a type of bacteria that grows in water and can cause sickness. Store the unit correctly: Storage also matters, says Carbone. When summer is over, store the window unit as it would be in the window – don't be tempted to flip it on its side to squeeze it into its winter hiding spot, which can damage the compressor. For a unit to make cold air, indoor air passes through a cooling coil, which results in condensation. This condensation needs to drain; otherwise, it can cause mold growth, explains Amy Li, an assistant professor at the University of Waterloo who studies how to improve indoor air quality. While window unit filters do catch particles like dust and dander, they don't perform the same function as an air purifier, for example, unless the model has been designed specifically to do so. 'The filters used don't remove particles very effectively, so the air isn't necessarily coming out much cleaner than it went in,' says Brent Stephens, a professor at Illinois Institute of Technology who researches indoor air issues. Window units may look like they draw fresh air from outside, but they do not. Because a lack of fresh air increases how much indoor pollutants are inside, Li recommends using a carbon dioxide monitor to assess indoor air or alternating between using the AC and opening windows to encourage natural ventilation. Cleaning the unit's filters can help it stay energy efficient because clogged filters block airflow and cause problems. Dirty filters also increase the chance of mold and mildew growing inside the unit. This can lead to health issues and cause the air that exits the unit to smell musty, explains Li. Some AC units have a drain pan built into the unit to collect condensation. If this pan fills, mold can grow, which could also lead to a bad smell. Sign up to Well Actually Practical advice, expert insights and answers to your questions about how to live a good life after newsletter promotion If drainage or filters don't seem to be an issue, but you still notice a bad smell, Carbone says to open up the unit and clean the coil with bleach. If you try all the above and it still smells funny, 'get rid of it', she says. Part of AC ownership also means knowing when to say goodbye. While window units can last for eight to 10 years, certain signs can indicate that something is amiss. Polchinski explains that an AC may be at the end of its run if 'your electricity bills are running much higher, but the price of electricity hasn't changed'. If your usage hasn't increased much from year to year, that suggests your unit is running less efficiently, he explains. That might mean that the motors are getting weaker, or there could be a 'low charge in the refrigerant, which could be an indication that there's a small leak', Polchinski says. Frozen coils can also be a sign of a slow refrigerant leak, says Carbone. If you have frozen coils, there's likely ice buildup around the coils and the unit isn't efficiently cooling your home. Window units use refrigerant, a chemical cooling agent, to remove heat and humidity from a room. During the process, the refrigerant changes state from liquid to gas. A leak can cause the refrigerant to escape as a gas. If an AC is leaking liquid, that's more likely to be condensation buildup. Older units also simply don't work as well. 'You're just going to be paying for non-efficient equipment,' Carbone says. You can bring an older AC to a specialist to see if they can fix whatever's wrong. But Polchinski says that, because it's expensive to repair and AC units are getting cheaper, 'it probably doesn't pay to repair it'. Carbone doesn't personally recommend getting your AC unit secondhand and says she wouldn't opt for one that's more than five years old. She also advises that you make sure the seller has cleaned the filters and the coils. Polchinski would also look for any signs of damage to the coil, adding, 'I would want to plug it in somewhere and test it – even if it's not in a window – just to make sure that it sounds right.' Listen for loud buzzing, hissing, banging and 'pinging or scraping noises that could be an indication of rotating parts touching something that they shouldn't be touching'. When buying secondhand or new, you'll also want to consider how the AC will work for the size of your room. A bigger unit isn't necessarily better: if it's too large, it will cool the room before removing humidity, making it feel clammy. You can do some simple math to figure out the size you need. Meanwhile, Polchinski says the most energy-efficient units are those that are Energy Star-rated. Carbone says you'll also want to consider what refrigerant the AC uses. Because refrigerants absorb heat, they are helpful in cooling systems, but if they leak, they can contribute to climate change. Newer machines use more environmentally friendly refrigerants. One major mistake Polchinski observes is when 'people turn the AC unit to maximum cold thinking that is going to get the room cooler faster.' He equates it to people 'constantly pressing an elevator button, thinking that's going to make the elevator get somewhere faster'. Ultimately, an AC can only reach a programmed temperature at a certain speed. Temperature control isn't like volume control, he explains. It simply means the compressor keeps running until you get to the selected frigid setting. Another issue is that people tend to cool buildings when it's 'perfectly comfortable outside' or a ceiling fan would be sufficient, says Liz McCormick, an architect, and professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte who's written a book about the impacts of air conditioning. That's not great for the planet, and it changes our tolerance and perception of different conditions. 'It's completely changed the way we live and work,' McCormick says of air conditioning. 'But I do think we can continue to evolve the technology and find ways to balance this modern marvel with the healthful benefits of the outdoors.'


Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Survivors of Lake Tahoe boating disaster credited for life-saving decision after 'freak storm' killed eight
The two survivors of the deadly Lake Tahoe tragedy that claimed eight lives were wearing life jackets at the time of their rescue. Ten boaters abroad a 27-foot gold Chris-Craft vessel set out the California side of Lake Tahoe last weekend, eager to enjoy a sun-drenched day on the water for a 71st birthday celebration. But the day turned fatal when a sudden, powerful storm erupted over the lake - unleashing eight-foot waves, pounding hail and torrential rain - that struck without warning and ultimately capsized their boat, claiming eight lives. The victims of the disaster were identified as: Paula Bozinovich, 71, Terry Pickles, 73, Joshua Antony Pickles, 37, Peter Bayes, 72, Timothy O'Leary, 71, Theresa Giullari, 66, James Guck, 69 and Stephen Lindsay, 63. However, the two unidentified individuals who survived the tsunami-like storm were revealed to be wearing life jackets when rescued, before being transported to a local hospital, according to a Facebook post from the Washoe County Sheriff's Hasty Team. 'The most common mistake boaters make it not being aware of the forecasted weather,' BM1 Justin Smith, executive petty officer of Coast Guard Station Lake Tahoe, said in a statement to Fox News Digital. 'Life jackets being worn continue to be the primary survivability factor,' he added. On the morning of June 21st, the conditions outside were perfect for a carefree weekend outing - clear skies, gentle breezes and steadily rising temperatures. Despite a slight chance of rain and thunderstorms - a common occurrence for seasoned boaters - hundreds still took to the water that day. But something shifted around 2pm - some boaters spotted whitecaps forming on the water, while others noticed the wind suddenly picking up, blowing fiercely from the north, as reported by The Los Angeles Times. From that moment, conditions deteriorated rapidly, transforming a calm day into a desperate race against time and nature - as eight-foot waves, 30-knot winds, snow and hail engulfed the lake within just minutes. 'It felt like we were in a tsunami that was starting,' Brittany Glick, who was on a nearby pontoon celebrating a bachelorette party, told NPR. 'I had never experienced anything like that.' 'It happened suddenly. The water was just screaming toward the shore,' Ms Brigantino, who was visiting the lake with friends, told BBC. 'It was bad.' Some vessels broke free from their moorings, while others sank or crashed into nearby piers. Several buoys were also washed ashore, according to the LA Times. Before many could reach shore amid the chaos, several boats capsized - hurling passengers into the raging, churning waters. At around 3pm, multiple people reported seeing a group in the water after their boat met the same fate - all while waves in the area at the time were around eight-feet high, according to a news release from the El Dorado Sheriff's Office. Both the sheriff's office and the Coast Guard swiftly responded to the shores of D.L. Bliss State Park, where they successfully rescued two individuals wearing flotation devices. 'Weather in the Tahoe Basin can be unpredictable and change quickly,' Smith warned boaters while speaking with Fox News. 'Mariners should be hesitant to operate in conditions where wind advisories or small craft advisories have been issued,' he added. A massive search-and-rescue operation involving multiple agencies was quickly launched to locate the remaining boaters, including North Tahoe Fire, California State Parks, the Washoe County Sheriff's Office, and the United States Coast Guard. The recovery operations also required advanced divers and specialized teams, including Wilderness Finder Search Dog Teams. Six bodies were recovered on the surface of the water near the capsized boat shortly after the storm, according to the Facebook post. The following day, the Washoe County Sheriff's Office responded to a request from the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office to assist in recovering the two remaining victims. An extensive underwater search was conducted by the Washoe County's Search and Rescue Hasty Team, the Specialized Vehicle Unit aboard Marine 10 and the Marine 9 crew, the department wrote. Both the sheriff's office and the Coast Guard swiftly responded to the shores of D.L. Bliss State Park, where they successfully rescued two individuals wearing flotation devices The search employed the team's Outland 1000 Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), equipped with multiple cameras, lights, onboard sonar, and an articulating claw - capable of diving to depths of up to 2,000 feet. That afternoon, a seventh victim was found at a depth of over 300 feet. Then, on Monday afternoon, the final missing boater was discovered deceased at a similar depth, bringing the death toll to eight, according to the department. 'The success of the search and recovery operations would not have been nearly as efficient without the assistance of our partner agencies,' the sheriff's office said. Among those who lost their lives was 37-year-old DoorDash executive Josh Pickles, along with his parents - 73-year-old Terry Pickles and 71-year-old Paula Bozinovich, ABC 7 News reported. Pickles' wife had stayed home taking care of their seven-month-old daughter at the time of the disaster, according to Fox News. The group was celebrating his mother's 71st birthday on Lake Tahoe. Two other victims were also from California: Josh Pickles' uncle, 72-year-old Peter Bayes, and 71-year-old Timothy O'Leary. The three remaining victims - 66-year-old Theresa Giullari, 69-year-old James Guck and 63-year-old Stephen Lindsay - were visiting from New York. 'These individuals were part of a closely connected family group enjoying a birthday gathering on the lake,' the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office said in a June 24 statement. 'We extend our deepest heartfelt condolences to the families of those who were lost and all those who have been affected by this tragic event.' But even boaters who managed to reach shore during the storm weren't out of danger - many suffered after falling into the frigid water, which remained below 60 degrees throughout the day, LA Times reported. 'There was just a massive amount of people that were in hypothermia or shock,' Joby Cefalu, a lifelong Tahoe boater, told the outlet. 'It was just a tragic day on Lake Tahoe.' Last weekend's tragedy is believed to be the deadliest boating incident in the Golden State since 2019, when a 75-foot boat caught fire and sank near Santa Cruz Island, killing 34 people.


Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Daily Mail
60m Americans at risk as major safety system is cut ahead of hurricane season
Millions of Americans now face greater danger this hurricane season after the Pentagon abruptly shut down a key program that delivers crucial storm data. As of June 30, the federal government will no longer process or share data from three weather satellites that predict hurricanes 10 to 12 hours before forming. Experts are concerned that the loss of satellite data could impact every storm approaching the US East Coast and Gulf Coast regions, where more than 60 million Americans live and rely on accurate, timely hurricane forecasts. The loss could lead to delayed storm warnings, less accurate hurricane models, and reduced evacuation time for people. James Franklin, retired National Hurricane Center branch chief, told NewsNation: 'There are going to be cases this year when certain warnings are delayed because of this. 'It might mean that evacuations get delayed because of this, and you could lose lives because of this.' In May, officials released a forecast for 2025, predicting a 70 percent chance of an above-average hurricane season, with 13 to 19 named storms. Of those, six to 10 could become hurricanes, including three to five major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher. Last year, around 400 people died during the hurricane season, the deadliest since 2005, according to the National Hurricane Center. Meteorologists at AccuWeather expect as many as six major storms could make direct landfall in the US this summer. That would be the same number of storms that caused the damage of $500 million last year, when Hurricanes Helene and Milton were the most destructive. The satellites provided microwave data that allowed scientists to see inside storms and monitor wind and rain patterns, even through clouds and darkness. Without it, forecasters could miss six to ten hours of early warning. Experts say without the satellite data, forecasters may not detect signs that a storm is rapidly strengthening until it's too late, a risk meteorologists call a 'sunrise surprise.' These storms appear mild at night but suddenly become stronger and more dangerous by morning. 'This is a major setback,' said Marc Alessi, a hurricane expert with the Union of Concerned Scientists. 'We will no longer be able to say, OK, this storm is definitely undergoing rapid intensification, we need to update our forecasts to reflect that.' The data stream was officially terminated on June 27, typically before the beginning of peak hurricane activity in July, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). A NOAA spokesperson said the agency is using other satellites and tools to continue forecasting storms, calling it a 'routine process of data rotation and replacement.' But former officials say the move was unusually abrupt and poorly communicated. 'I've never seen anything like this,' said Rick Spinrad, a former NOAA administrator. 'It's shocking.' The shutdown raises deeper concerns about the Pentagon's commitment to weather forecasting and climate science. The White House has proposed a nearly 40 percent cut to NOAA's 2026 budget, cutting more than $2 million in funding. The Trump administration's second term has also moved to reduce staff and eliminate contracts related to disaster preparedness and climate research. In 2024, NOAA produced some of its accurate forecasts ever for hurricanes Milton and Helene, predicting rapid intensification and landfall with almost perfect precision. Scientists say the level of accuracy depended on having fully funded satellites and data systems that have now been dismantled. 'This is alarmingly bad news,' said University of Miami hurricane expert Brian McNoldy.