Couple invited to neighborhood 'doomsday prepper' meeting could barely keep a straight face

No matter how brave a person may be, the fear of facing doomsday looms large all over us. Some places in the world are more prone to natural disasters than others and it takes careful planning to keep one's home and family safe during such times. From gathering supplies to strategically choosing safe places, one can transform a chaotic situation into a calm one by being prepared well ahead. When entrepreneur couple Liz + Beau from Washington State (@beauandliz on TikTok) were invited to a neighborhood "emergency preparation" meeting, they couldn't help contain their laughter at the proceedings.

The couple participated in a discussion with many of their neighbors. They were in it for the laughs but soon learned everyone else was deadly serious about it. While the neighbors pitched in with various ideas, Liz quipped that she was "bringing her humor." The cheerless reaction it received made her realize how serious everyone was about the meeting. A man named Justin, who hadn’t even moved into the neighborhood yet, proved to be a vital asset to the meeting by sharing important information. It turned out he already had enough food and 1,000 gallons of water stored to last three months. Another woman announced that she had four fire extinguishers available, sparking a discussion on fire safety.

Then Justin discussed how the West Coast lacked enough aircraft to supply disaster-struck areas with resources like food, water and other essentials. With her hands covering her mouth, Liz listened in awe as Justin emphasized the importance of people storing a month's worth of supplies. After Hurricane Helene's impact, the neighbors understood the need to be prepared. Liz pointed out how their area was vulnerable to volcanic eruptions, tsunami floods, hazardous wildfires and earthquakes. She then explained to her husband the dire consequences of wildfires and earthquakes, including downed electrical lines and closed bridges, which could leave them stranded at home.  

With further neighborhood drills planned, the couple now understood how perilous their location was. The internet was both awestruck and inspired by this "doomsday prepper" meeting. "Girl this is so smart and sweet of your neighbors. You’re isolated on an island in the PNW being prepared is the best-case scenario in any event," said @godsfavoritecommie. "You know it’s better to be prepared even if it seems silly. At least you know your neighbors," pointed out @nitebright. "He (Justin) could be prepping on his own but he wants his community to survive too. That’s actually so sweet," added @brittanywood84.

A few days later, the couple shared an update on the big neighborhood drill. While discussing different scenarios, the neighbors suggested that the couple's house could serve as the "care center," but Liz declined, pointing out how much damage it sustained during an earthquake. The neighbors then began practicing texting each other so that the care site organizers could understand if someone needed help. There was also a debate about where to keep the children safe, and it became clear that there were many more decisions to make after this drill.

You can follow Liz + Beau (@beauandliz) on TikTok for more "doomsday preparation" updates.