12 Basement Weather Shelters from the Past That Could Save Lives Today
From wartime bunkers to underground root cellars, history’s toughest basement shelters still stand as life-saving refuges against today’s most extreme weather.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
Over the years, humans have constructed underground shelters to endure war, catastrophe, and the most extreme conditions—most of which are still able to save lives today. From Cold War fallout shelters to Great Plains tornado cellars, these structures were crafted to resist forceful forces and prove resilient when confronted with adversity. By rejuvenating or redesigning them, we can repurpose these neglected havens into contemporary storm shelters, demonstrating that history’s best survival strategies are not yet old news.
1. Anderson Shelters (UK, 1939-1945)
Image from Anderson Shelters
Anderson shelters, partially buried in backyards with an arch steel roof and earth walls, were distributed by the British government during World War II to protect against air raids. Although they were meant for air raids, their semi-underground, resilient structure qualifies them to serve well as tornado and hurricane shelters nowadays. They still remain in some old houses and can be renovated for contemporary weather resistance.
2. Fallout Shelters (USA, 1950s-1980s)
Image from Smithsonian Magazine
Cold War-era fallout shelters, designed to withstand nuclear explosions, were usually constructed in basements with heavy concrete walls. They were supplied with rations, water, and air purification systems, making them extremely efficient against severe storms. Most are still intact in old buildings and can be converted into emergency storm bunkers.
3. Prairie Sod Cellars (USA, 19th Century)
Image from Oklahoma Historical Society
Early settlers on the Great Plains excavated sod cellars into the ground for storage and storm shelter. These underground rooms, supported by wooden beams, protected people against tornadoes and blizzards. If preserved or reconstructed, they would remain highly effective emergency shelters.
4. London Underground Air Raid Shelters (UK, 1940s)
Image from London Transport Museum
During the Blitz, thousands of Londoners took shelter in basement-level London Underground stations. The underground tunnels were safe from bombing and resistant to extreme weather conditions. In the event of retrofits, such underground transit shelters would make good storm refuges today.
5. Root Cellars (Various Locations, 18th-20th Century)
Image from Wikipedia
Originally used for storing food, root cellars were stone or brick underground rooms with heavy doors. Their stable temperatures and solid construction also made them good storm shelters. Updating these with ventilation and reinforcement could make them perfect for riding out hurricanes and tornadoes.
6. Japanese Air Raid Shelters (WWII, 1940s)
Image from Wikipedia
Most Japanese homes and businesses had reinforced concrete basement shelters during World War II. These underground areas were built to be bomb blast and fire-resistant. Some still remain today and can be retrofitted as weather-resistant safe rooms.
7. Alaska’s Permafrost Dugouts (Various, 19th-20th Century)
Image from Grist.org
Indigenous Alaskans and early settlers constructed subterranean dugouts in frozen permafrost as an insulating shield from intense cold. The structures, frequently supported with wood and sod, were a lifesaver in brutal winters. Adapted forms would be a means of sheltering from blizzards and heavy storms.
8. French Wine Caves (France, Medieval to Present)
Image from Architectural Digest
Most French vineyards possess huge underground wine cellars hollowed from rock or limestone. These cool and stable natural shelters have endured centuries of occupation, including as war shelters. They can also be used as safe shelters during natural disasters.
9. Tornado Cellars (USA, Late 19th-20th Century)
Image from 101.9 The Bull
Constructed in tornado-swept areas, these little underground bunkers were usually made of reinforced concrete or brick with heavy doors. Engineered to resist strong winds, they are still effective today against contemporary storms. Some of the older cellars are still being used today with minimal upgrades.
10. Berlin Bunkers (Germany, WWII Era)
Image from Wikipedia
Many underground bunkers in Berlin had thick concrete walls and steel doors during World War II. A few of them were later converted into emergency Cold War shelters. If refurbished, they can double as extreme weather bunkers today.
11. Mining Tunnels (Various Locations, Centuries Old)
Image from American Mine Services
Old mine tunnels, like those in Appalachia or the Black Hills, have long been natural shelters from the weather. Their underground depth protects them from tornadoes, hurricanes, and blistering heat. With good ventilation and reinforcement, they might serve as weather shelters.
12. Spanish Civil War Bomb Shelters (Spain, 1930s)
Image from The Guardian
Most Spanish cities, such as Barcelona, constructed extensive bomb shelters underground during the Spanish Civil War. A few remain in good condition beneath present-day buildings and have been kept as museums. Properly maintained, these shelters could still offer life-saving shelter from violent weather.