Okay, confession time: one of my guilty pleasures is watching “Doomsday Preppers.” Do these people take emergency preparedness to the extreme? Yes, but once you work through all the conspiracy theories and anxiety laden mentalities, these folks have a much better chance at surviving in any given disaster than the average person. One disaster that people are planning for is a seemingly inevitable zombie apocalypse.
Not surprisingly, Arizona has been ranked several times as one of the few places in the country that could survive hordes of zombies. Our harsh landscapes, gun culture, and general dislike for non-Zonies is a major contributor to this. However, not all locations in the state are equal for survival. Scientists have admitted that the safest places to hide from a zombie outbreak are in remote locations. Seems reasonable enough, right? You will have a lower chance of infection and the likelihood that zombies will come your way are significantly lower than in a larger urban area where people are in close contact with each other. But what places in Arizona would be best for your chance of survival? Check out some of these selections below.
- Chase Tower or another high rise
Wikimedia Commons If you find yourself stranded in Phoenix, making an extended stay in a high rise might be a good option and it worked for some characters in the British film, “28 Days Later.” Chase Tower, standing 40 stories tall, has the benefit of creating a space barricade between you and those zombies. Bring enough provisions for a long stay (you might even find some in the offices) and work to barricade the entrances well.
- The Grand Canyon
Alan English CPA/Flickr Far removed from any major city, the Grand Canyon also has the benefit of a long, dangerous trek into the canyon’s depths to reach safety. Plus, should any zombies stumble to the canyon, they may die from the long hike or simply by falling over the edge.
However, the pitfalls to this choice include not surviving the journey to the Grand Canyon, especially in summer. Plus, there’s also the Havasupai who already live in the canyon at Supai who probably would not take kindly to strange folks squatting in their home. (I don’t blame them!) This is a plan you would probably want to make arrangements for in advance.
- The Superstition Mountains
Kevin Schraer/Flickr If you manage not to get lost yourself, the Superstition Mountains have the fortune of treacherous mountain sides combined with a rather hostile living environment. What is the likelihood that a zombie would be able to survive a few days’ walk in the desert without access to food (i.e., you)? Probably low but I’m not up to date on the zombie nutrition requirements. In the meantime, carefully hike the area more often during the cooler months and begin increasing your survival tactics in the desert environment.
- Titan Missile Museum or other underground bunker
Todd Lappin/Flickr What better place to escape zombies for the foreseeable future than in a Cold War era underground facility? The structure is steel-reinforced concrete that has a number of tunnels and blast doors, plus there’s the added benefit that it’s underground. Other similar bunkers and bomb shelters from the era can provide similar protection but on a much smaller scale.
If you can figure out how to make the area appear less visible and bring a good stock of provisions with you, you may have a chance of just avoiding the zombie apocalypse altogether while someone else deals with eradicating them.
- Vermillion Cliffs
Bureau of Land Management/Flickr The perks of this area are numerous which include an isolated location that offers clear views of the area below it and has no permanent residents. Zombies are probably less likely to scale the cliffs without first finding a road (but how likely is that?) and they may instead opt to search for more readily accessible food.
- One of Arizona’s 7 military bases
Wikimedia Commons Large, sequestered, and heavily armed, Arizona’s military bases are probably a good option for hiding out from the zombie infestation if the bases somehow manage to become abandoned. Just be sure to inspect the area before getting too comfortable; if the military abandoned the base, they probably did so for good reason.
- One of Arizona’s numerous prisons
Alan Levine/Flickr Yes, this idea was inspired by a rather popular zombie show but it’s still a good idea! Arizona has a ridiculous number of such facilities, which includes state, private, and federal prisons of various security levels, as well as detention centers, so your chances of encountering one to hide in is pretty high. Plus, if you find one in a more isolated area—like the one in Winslow—you can increase your chances of survival. However, even prisons in more populated areas like Florence (pictured above) are secluded and fortified enough to withstand most zombies.
Well, now that I shared all of my potential hideaways, what locations in the state would you want to hole up in during the zombie apocalypse? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below!
Wikimedia Commons
If you find yourself stranded in Phoenix, making an extended stay in a high rise might be a good option and it worked for some characters in the British film, “28 Days Later.” Chase Tower, standing 40 stories tall, has the benefit of creating a space barricade between you and those zombies. Bring enough provisions for a long stay (you might even find some in the offices) and work to barricade the entrances well.
Alan English CPA/Flickr
Far removed from any major city, the Grand Canyon also has the benefit of a long, dangerous trek into the canyon’s depths to reach safety. Plus, should any zombies stumble to the canyon, they may die from the long hike or simply by falling over the edge.
However, the pitfalls to this choice include not surviving the journey to the Grand Canyon, especially in summer. Plus, there’s also the Havasupai who already live in the canyon at Supai who probably would not take kindly to strange folks squatting in their home. (I don’t blame them!) This is a plan you would probably want to make arrangements for in advance.
Kevin Schraer/Flickr
If you manage not to get lost yourself, the Superstition Mountains have the fortune of treacherous mountain sides combined with a rather hostile living environment. What is the likelihood that a zombie would be able to survive a few days’ walk in the desert without access to food (i.e., you)? Probably low but I’m not up to date on the zombie nutrition requirements. In the meantime, carefully hike the area more often during the cooler months and begin increasing your survival tactics in the desert environment.
Todd Lappin/Flickr
What better place to escape zombies for the foreseeable future than in a Cold War era underground facility? The structure is steel-reinforced concrete that has a number of tunnels and blast doors, plus there’s the added benefit that it’s underground. Other similar bunkers and bomb shelters from the era can provide similar protection but on a much smaller scale.
If you can figure out how to make the area appear less visible and bring a good stock of provisions with you, you may have a chance of just avoiding the zombie apocalypse altogether while someone else deals with eradicating them.
Bureau of Land Management/Flickr
The perks of this area are numerous which include an isolated location that offers clear views of the area below it and has no permanent residents. Zombies are probably less likely to scale the cliffs without first finding a road (but how likely is that?) and they may instead opt to search for more readily accessible food.
Large, sequestered, and heavily armed, Arizona’s military bases are probably a good option for hiding out from the zombie infestation if the bases somehow manage to become abandoned. Just be sure to inspect the area before getting too comfortable; if the military abandoned the base, they probably did so for good reason.
Alan Levine/Flickr
Yes, this idea was inspired by a rather popular zombie show but it’s still a good idea! Arizona has a ridiculous number of such facilities, which includes state, private, and federal prisons of various security levels, as well as detention centers, so your chances of encountering one to hide in is pretty high. Plus, if you find one in a more isolated area—like the one in Winslow—you can increase your chances of survival. However, even prisons in more populated areas like Florence (pictured above) are secluded and fortified enough to withstand most zombies.
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