You really don't need an expensive shelter. It comes down to the amount of dirt between you and the nuclear fallout particles. Every 3.6 inches (9.1cm) of wel

You really don't need an expensive shelter. It comes down to the amount of dirt between you and the nuclear fallout particles. Every 3.6 inches (9.1cm) of well packed earth will halve the gamma rays that make it to your body. So, with around 18 inches (45 cm) of earth, you reduce the gamma radiation exposure to 1/32. After around 2 weeks, the vast majority of the fallout will have decayed and it will be safe to evacuate if you would like.