I want to make a case for warehouses. As I see it, they are underrepresented in zombie survival discussions... and that's good! In a way.
The first thing they have going for them is anonymity. They are pretty much off the radar. There won't be throngs of idiots busting down your doors, because nobody thinks about their existence. And if zombies are attracted to places they visited in life, then you might have like ten whole zombies who used to load trucks there. But they'll probably go home, or to the mall anyway.
Defensibility? Oh yes. They are build to be left unattended overnight and all weekend with millions of dollars of merchandise inside. They have heavy doors, few or no windows (but they do often have sky lights), and high fences.
Survivability? Pretty good. Most have a small kitchen, and all have bathrooms. Not that either matters much after the power and water stop working. But if you choose the right warehouse... you have TONS of survival supplies. Non-perishable food, tools, building supplies, etc.
Does anyone have any pros or cons to add?
|
wow.i never thot of it but thats a great idea really.like a food shipment warehouse would work.thats is a good idea.
The dead will rise.That is why I have alot of guns!
Pro-everything you said
Con-if you pick a tuna warehouse.
^^^^^^^^CATS EVERYWHERE.
but. a warehouse would be cool. specially a "zombie" warehouse, you know. if someone built a warehouse for a zombie horde to attack them. stocked knee high in ammunitions and food. with a bunch of fresh water to keep a party of 15 adults on a 2500 calorie diet fit to live for at least 3 months. and a helicopter with added fuel. now i know this is REALLY expensive, and REALLY HUGE warehouse. but hey. it's always fun to imagine these things : )
Only smart people survive Z-day.
George - I am willing to overlook that you are a Max Brooks fan since you posted such a brilliant plan.
Seriously, it would not be a bad idea to start scoping Warehouses in towns around where people live.
Here is the true Con I see with the plan (Cats aside). Warehouses are by there very nature placed in industrial zones, which NEED to be very close to populated areas. I would be worried about hordes of Zeds from the nearby city.
YOu know, a waterfront warehouse might be very cool as well, especially one on the Great Lakes. You have all the Pro's you listed above, as well as quick access to fresh water - Fishing and an escape route.
On Z-Day, the first thing I am going to do is scream like a little girl. Once that's out, I will be ready to function.
First, depending on what you believe about zombies, they only have the instinct to feed, but that is beside the point. A warehouse would be a good idea for a while. Once people start needing supplies though they will come and take them from you. Peacefully or not. I would choose a place where I could hid and go get supplies easily. Maybe even grow them. Almost anything can be barricaded for protection. If it has stairs you can just take out the stairs and add a rope ladder. They can't climb so as long as they don't pile up a story tall. Kinda unlikely.
------------------------------------
General Apocalypse
------------------------------------
Your argument against warehouses (Highlighted in bold) applies to EVERY stronghold. People will want to get what you have, and I am not sure how that makes a warehouse a bad thing. All safe houses will have to be fortified. All strongholds will have to have a way to get more supplies, access to fresh water, and the ability to grow new food.
I am not sure why you are saying a warehouse would be bad in the long run. If you properly defend any stronghold, especially a warehouse, then you will be able to hold off attackers, both living and dead.
I guess I need better clarification why it isn't good in the long run.
On Z-Day, the first thing I am going to do is scream like a little girl. Once that's out, I will be ready to function.
Warehouses are a definite place someone would go to raid supplies from. I would much rather go and get supplies then have a stronghold that is a good place to get supplies from. If you get supplies from some place you don't have to stay there and people won't come to you. Unless that is what you want. I wouldn't. The less people I have to deal with the better. Some people would go bad and get supplies and recruit people for their gang, or whatever you wanna call it, any way possible. My ideal place would be outside of a city in a less urban.
------------------------------------
General Apocalypse
------------------------------------
Heh, Lykos, thanks for hearing me out despite my appreciation of Brooks' writing.
Some warehouses are situated a reasonable distance from major population centers. And I do say 'major' since you are correct that they need to be close to the stores they are distributing to. However, even small towns, very far away from other towns, (e.g. Fosston, MN) have warehouses.
Coincidentally, one of the warehouses that caught my eye is just a couple blocks from the east bank of the Mississippi in Minneapolis. So, I have to agree that proximity to water is a plus.
Apocalypse, a single family dwelling might be even more anonymous than a warehouse, and of course a wilderness retreat is just about the best place to hide. However, if you're stuck in the city, which I almost certainly will be come Zday (unless I hear about it way ahead of everyone else) a warehouse has a good balance of safety, survivability, and anonymity. For every big box store and mall that everyone knows about, there are 100 warehouses tucked away between neighborhoods, and lined up along rivers and highways. Other places will be raided first, and all places will be raided eventually.
Ok, final thought. How about a munitions warehouse in northern Minnesota? Very thick walls, partitioned to stop explosions from escaping a single room. The raiders and zeds can come at you by the thousands, and you'll have ammo to spare (not that they will, since you're up north). When it comes time to venture out, you'll still be able to hunt and defend yourself.
It could work, if you got there first.
Like I have said before, I work in an art supply warehouse and I know that if Z-day happens when I am working, I have nothing to worry about. You wouldn't believe all the weapons that are in the building.
Let anyone you want in your group, but never....NEVER trust a Bothan. Because The Muppet Show Said So
I don't know what you are thinking about in regards to a warehouse, I know that I wouldn't think to go after a warehouse, unless you are using a definition of warehouse that is as of yet unknown to me.
Most warehouses that I have seen don't really have lots of supplies that would really be helpful for most people. Now, realize, the places I am thinking about are very industrial and more like airplane hangars with equipment inside then storage facilities.
Why do you think they will be targets?
All that needs to be said is this: FIRE = BAD
Most warehouses that I have seen don't really have lots of supplies that would really be helpful for most people. Now, realize, the places I am thinking about are very industrial and more like airplane hangars with equipment inside then storage facilities.
Why do you think they will be targets?
I am just as confused, Eliot. I never, NEVER thought about the warehouse idea, and no one has EVER mentioned it before (to my knowledge) on here, or on any of the other groups for Zombies I have been in.
So I am just confused as to why warehouses would be such a huge target. Apparently everyone has ignored them up until now.
On Z-Day, the first thing I am going to do is scream like a little girl. Once that's out, I will be ready to function.