‘Tunnel girl’ gives update after being ordered to stop digging

TikTok’s viral “tunnel girl” who is known as Kala on the app has given followers an update on her tunnel after having been ordered to stop digging to get the proper permits.

Kala, also known as “engineer everything” online, has become a viral sensation on TikTok after documenting her project of digging a 30-foot-long tunnel off the side of her basement as a kind of underground “storm shelter.”

Despite having no formal background in engineering, the 37-year-old began her project in August 2022 and has been documenting the process on TikTok ever since October of that year.

In December 2023, Kala was ordered to stop digging by the city officials after not having gotten any permits for her digging project.

In her video, Kala claimed that she was hit with an official order to halt her current activities, and said that she needs to obtain the proper permits to continue to her tunnel after it gets evaluated by an engineer.

Tunnel girl awaits permit to continue digging her tunnel

Kala told Fox 5 on February 12 that the permitting process for her project is expected to take at least another month, but the tunnel itself had been approved and declared safe.

“The report concluded that the structure of the tunnel is sufficient enough to support the rock, and the rock itself is stable and shows no sign of shifting. The work was accepted,” she said.

In a video posted on February 10, she continued to explain: “The engineering assessment is particularly important, because I wasn’t supposed to occupy the basement until it’s determined to be safe.

“The report concluded that the structure of the tunnel is sufficient enough to support the rock, and the rock itself is stable and shows no sign of shifting. The work was accepted.”

Kala also said she’d worked with an architect to submit a set of drawings for the permit application, which she’s expecting to take another month.

“I’m still working to respond to comments and to provide information for the city for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, structural, and geotechnical aspects of the project,” she said “At this time, I requested an extension, and I am expecting the process to continue for at least a month more, and I’m optimistic.”

Kala revealed that she has spent a whopping $50,000 on her 30-foot-long tunnel. When asked by NBC what she intended to use the tunnel for, Kala said: “I wouldn’t say doomsday bunker, because I’m not really a prepper or concerned about that kind of thing at all.

“I just thought it would be neat to have like a little protective shelter area.”