New York City Preppers: The Real Story – COVID and Beyond
This month, I had the pleasure of joining James Walton on The Prepper Broadcasting Network to share what I’ve learned from years of research on New York City preppers—especially during the unprecedented stress test of COVID-19.
James opened the episode with a powerful question:
“If prepping isn’t just about bugging out to the woods with a bugout bag and a rifle, then what is it really about—especially in a place like New York City?”
That’s exactly the conversation we had.
"We didn’t bug out—we bugged in."
COVID-19 hit New York hard and fast. For many preppers in the city, escaping wasn’t an option. Most people stayed. And staying meant adapting—quickly.
“Apartments turned into mini command centers. Closets became pantries. Balconies became gardens. Hallways became classrooms.”
Urban preppers figured out how to survive in place, often supporting neighbors who weren’t prepared at all. The lesson? Urban prepping isn’t a fantasy—it’s essential.
James on the Quiet Preppers
James reflected on how mainstream media often misrepresents preppers—and how that hurts our ability to understand real, local resilience:
“It’s the guy helping his neighborhood clean up after a storm. The woman who’s got three weeks of food and an elderly neighbor she checks in on. These are the real stories we need to be telling.”
What I've discovered through my ethnographic research: preppers aren’t fringe. They’re the people who quietly kept others afloat during a crisis.
"The new bomb shelter is mutual aid."
In the 1950s, people built basement bunkers. Today, we need a new version of that thinking—but focused on mutual support.
“It’s not about hiding underground. It’s about storing food. Having extra medicine. Knowing your neighbors, and checking in when the lights go out.”
Prepping isn’t selfish—it’s civic. It’s practical. And it’s something anyone can do.
What NYC Preppers Taught Me
“One woman said, ‘I lived through 9/11. I lived through Sandy. I’m not getting caught off guard again.’ That stuck with me.”
Many of the people I interviewed had survived multiple crises and made the choice to prepare not out of fear, but out of care—for themselves, for their families, and for their communities.
We also talked about:
Emotional trauma as a preparedness issue
Teaching readiness to students
Why “ordinary” people make the best preppers
“Prepping isn’t weird. It’s responsible.”
That was my message to James—and to the broader audience. Prepping is just another form of responsible planning.
“It’s like saving for retirement or having health insurance. It’s just smart.”
Listen to this episode here: Dr. Anna Maria Bounds – “New York Preppers: The Real Story – COVID and Beyond”
For more, check out:
– Bracing for the Apocalypse
– Urban Preppers in the Pandemic in New York City
Let’s keep this conversation going. Resilience is built from the ground up.