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'Doomsday preppers' have enough supplies to last a year – all because of Chinese balloon
Carrie and Colton Smith, from the US, have built enough supplies to last them through a year-long disaster of any kind and the prepping all started because of a Chinese balloon
A US couple who turned themselves into "preppers" say they have enough supplies for a year if disaster strikes.
But the apparent paranoia is fuelled by a strange reason. It all started after a Chinese balloon flew over the US before being shot down in February 2023.
Since then, Carrie and Colton Smith, both in their mid-30s felt the urge to prepare for a disaster, such as war or a power outage or a natural calamity.
The couple, who live in Gallatin County, Montana, have been gathering and putting away supplies so that if the worst occurs, they can survive.
Now, the paranoid pair have everything from a satellite phone to 55-gallon water drums, a generator and freeze-dried foods which can last 25 years. And they've documented the process on social media to their combined one million followers as @housewifeprepper.
Carrie said: "The Chinese balloon was a big wake-up call for me - I realised I needed to take matters into my own hands.
"I grew up in California where there are earthquakes, so my family were always prepared for natural disasters - but the balloon took things to the next level for us.
Prepping is very expensive and you can't do it overnight - but it's an investment, like a form of insurance. For instance, a generator is $1,000 and we have four. Our 55 gallon water storage tanks are $500 each and we have three of those.
And guns can be $600 to $1000 each and we have multiple to protect ourselves. If there was a power outage, most people wouldn't make it very long - but we have enough supplies to last a year."
Carrie said she felt the need to "take control over the household and family" after feeling threatened by the Chinese balloon incident, and felt that it was her responsibility as she is a housewife.
She said: :As a housewife, the woman can be the decision maker - every homemaker should factor it in. It's an extension of caring for your family. It isn't just doomsday, or World War 3, it could be a job loss, a natural disaster, anything."
Carrie and Colton have both prepared 'bug-out bags' - emergency survival grab bags - in case they need to leave in short notice. On top of that, they've got a survival kit for their pet dog Sky.
Carrie said the five main categories needed are food, shelter, water, self-defence items and 'bug out bags'.
She said: "Food, water, shelter and power are most important. After that, self-defence items. Then communication - like walkie talkies, satellite phones, a solar-crank radio. Those are prepper must haves."
They purchased a freeze-dryer so they can store their food to last a long time, and have a year of food pre-prepared, three 55-gallon water drums along with other water supplies such as a water filter, and a selection of weapons - including guns, knives, tasers and pepper spray, just in case they're required for hunting or self defence.
As for power, they have power banks, a generator, batteries, tanks of gas, solar panels and propane. And, they own solar-crank radios, clothing, money in cash and on cards, fire-proof safe pockets for important documents and even bicycles.
They even have a life raft so they can stay afloat during floods - which saved one of their social media followers' lives after they shared it on their profile.
Carrie said: "One follower messaged not long after I had posted a $12 life raft online that people might want to buy if they live in a flood zone. They told me they bought it, and then their home flooded, and the raft saved their life."
The couple have their enormous collection of supplies spread across several different locations - including their own home, friends' houses and their cars.
Colton said: "We have a network of friends who can rely on one another in an emergency situation. It's best to be self-reliant but you do also need friends and family that can help when needed."
While the couple say others may be confused by their approach, they feel it's better to be safe than sorry.
Carrie said: "When people think of a prepper, they imagine a guy - not a housewife like me. But it's becoming more relatable, and it's not just for war, it's real life. It's about feeling confident in the supplies you have. It's not extreme, it's smart."
Daily Star Sunday
Carrie and Colton Smith, from the US, have built enough supplies to last them through a year-long disaster of any kind and the prepping all started because of a Chinese balloon
A US couple who turned themselves into "preppers" say they have enough supplies for a year if disaster strikes.
But the apparent paranoia is fuelled by a strange reason. It all started after a Chinese balloon flew over the US before being shot down in February 2023.
Since then, Carrie and Colton Smith, both in their mid-30s felt the urge to prepare for a disaster, such as war or a power outage or a natural calamity.
The couple, who live in Gallatin County, Montana, have been gathering and putting away supplies so that if the worst occurs, they can survive.
Now, the paranoid pair have everything from a satellite phone to 55-gallon water drums, a generator and freeze-dried foods which can last 25 years. And they've documented the process on social media to their combined one million followers as @housewifeprepper.
Carrie said: "The Chinese balloon was a big wake-up call for me - I realised I needed to take matters into my own hands.
"I grew up in California where there are earthquakes, so my family were always prepared for natural disasters - but the balloon took things to the next level for us.
Prepping is very expensive and you can't do it overnight - but it's an investment, like a form of insurance. For instance, a generator is $1,000 and we have four. Our 55 gallon water storage tanks are $500 each and we have three of those.
And guns can be $600 to $1000 each and we have multiple to protect ourselves. If there was a power outage, most people wouldn't make it very long - but we have enough supplies to last a year."
Carrie said she felt the need to "take control over the household and family" after feeling threatened by the Chinese balloon incident, and felt that it was her responsibility as she is a housewife.
She said: :As a housewife, the woman can be the decision maker - every homemaker should factor it in. It's an extension of caring for your family. It isn't just doomsday, or World War 3, it could be a job loss, a natural disaster, anything."
Carrie and Colton have both prepared 'bug-out bags' - emergency survival grab bags - in case they need to leave in short notice. On top of that, they've got a survival kit for their pet dog Sky.
Carrie said the five main categories needed are food, shelter, water, self-defence items and 'bug out bags'.
She said: "Food, water, shelter and power are most important. After that, self-defence items. Then communication - like walkie talkies, satellite phones, a solar-crank radio. Those are prepper must haves."
They purchased a freeze-dryer so they can store their food to last a long time, and have a year of food pre-prepared, three 55-gallon water drums along with other water supplies such as a water filter, and a selection of weapons - including guns, knives, tasers and pepper spray, just in case they're required for hunting or self defence.
As for power, they have power banks, a generator, batteries, tanks of gas, solar panels and propane. And, they own solar-crank radios, clothing, money in cash and on cards, fire-proof safe pockets for important documents and even bicycles.
They even have a life raft so they can stay afloat during floods - which saved one of their social media followers' lives after they shared it on their profile.
Carrie said: "One follower messaged not long after I had posted a $12 life raft online that people might want to buy if they live in a flood zone. They told me they bought it, and then their home flooded, and the raft saved their life."
The couple have their enormous collection of supplies spread across several different locations - including their own home, friends' houses and their cars.
Colton said: "We have a network of friends who can rely on one another in an emergency situation. It's best to be self-reliant but you do also need friends and family that can help when needed."
While the couple say others may be confused by their approach, they feel it's better to be safe than sorry.
Carrie said: "When people think of a prepper, they imagine a guy - not a housewife like me. But it's becoming more relatable, and it's not just for war, it's real life. It's about feeling confident in the supplies you have. It's not extreme, it's smart."
Daily Star Sunday