The Woodshed - Backup Survival Shelter

I recall reading old-timer's accounts in extreme cold conditions, where the woodshed (usually a separate building) was set up as a "lifeboat" in case the main cabin should somehow catch fire and burn to the ground. In extreme cold conditions, this would be an immediately life threatening situation. But a woodshed that had a simple wood stove, a few tools, a few critical items like a big pot, was enough to keep you alive while you figured out the next move.

Do you have a "lifeboat" on your homestead?

Not really, but several of our outbuildings (wood pole buildings with steel exterior) were planned with the idea that a dwelling could quickly be erected inside of them to provide basic necessities (plumbing, electrical [on and off grid], strategically-placed doors and windows).  The one building with the greatest potential for living space is just now being planned with active/passive solar retrofit, rocket mass heater build, additional counter-space, etc.  Moreover, we are in a highly flood-prone area and the old farmhouse we live in is quite vulnerable should a large flood event hit:  The outbuilding in question sits on a packed gravel pad ~2 meters higher in elevation than the house and about as high as the local county roads.  Certainly an idea we are pondering.

My wife wanted an 8x8 garden shed.  I built one that measures 8x16.   Next to the garden shed is a high tunnel with a wood heater in it that is easily moved. This post did give me the needed kick to put a couple sleeping bags, protected in 5 gal plastic buckets inside the shed.

The thinking makes sense…even though we would most likely head for a motel.

Our hunters use our 34 ft travel trailer so we could move there if something happened to the house.

There are two storage shed we call barns that could quickly be made into living quarters.