Missouri woman spent $45,000 preparing for nuclear disaster

A Missouri doomsday prepper estimates she has spent a whopping $45,000 fortifying her home — citing the war in Ukraine and surging inflation as the latest indications of an imminent apocalypse that has escalated her efforts.

Rowan MacKenzie, 38, has spent over a decade amassing ample food and survival supplies in anticipation of nuclear disaster or any other kinds of societal collapse.

MacKenzie’s social media posts documenting her latest projects and tips for other preppers has garnered her a massive following of over 81,000 on TikTok.

“I’m preparing, as a whole, for war, inflation, nuclear disaster and all out chaos,” MacKenzie said in one post.

What started as stocking up her home’s cupboard with beans and rice 11 years ago has transformed into a massive enterprise that includes a hidden bunker in the basement with two years’ worth of food and a stockpile of weapons, Jam Press reported.

She’s said she believes she’s created a “flawless” rotation system for her provisions that could keep her and her family alive for 25 years.

The prepper in total has spent $20,000 on food, self-sustaining materials and weaponry, according to the Daily Mail. With her newest additions, she now believes the amount is close to $45,000. 

“The price of everything here has gone up so much – but I need to ready myself and my family for a disaster situation. I’ve added a lot more food to the bunker and a new water filtration system, as well as some chickens and a turkey,” she said.

In addition, she’s set up a greenhouse for homegrown produce and has added more ammo and weapons to the “secret bunker.”

MacKenzie said she’s received a fair amount of backlash for her viral prepper video, but says she believes she’s made herself “very vulnerable” but “for a good cause.”

“My friends and family think I’m crazy, but I always tell them that when the time comes, they won’t be calling me crazy then,” she reportedly said.

She urged those interested in prepping to make a list of the supplies they need.

“My biggest advice is: don’t panic,” she added,

“It’s easy to get overwhelmed and try to panic-buy supplies, but I don’t and will never encourage this,” MacKenzie said. “Just buy a few extra items each time you shop and eventually, you will see progress. 

Her videos offer a glimpse into MacKenzie’s home, including a video of a secret bunker which is stocked with shelves of water and other supplies needed to survive the end of the world. In the clip from the bunker, Mackenzie responds to a person who accused her of hoarding.

“I was just told that I was a hoarder and its people like me who make it hard for mothers to feed their children because I’m taking all of the food off the shelves.

“What I’m doing is not hoarding, this is called preparing and there’s a huge difference.”

The most important necessities for survival, MacKenzie said, are weapons for either self defense or hunting.

“The number one must for any bunker is defense,” Rowan told Jam Press. 

“I would highly recommend having a few guns and knives in your bunker at all times, along with ample amounts of ammunition,” she continued.

“You need to protect yourself, especially in a ‘dog eat dog’ situation. 

“It’s kill or be killed and you need the best possible chance of survival.”