That sounded like old rehashed Y2K conspiracy stuff.
Well... since you mention it...
Shortly before Y2K, my wife's brother was required as part of his job to travel to a special "center", designed for operation if certain conditions were met. I think he used the term "end of the world"; not sure how much if any sarcasm he intended. He was NOT allowed to discuss it very much. All I know is that it was a very "high-level" operation, for a very select group of in-charge VIP types, to be swung into operation in times of severe crisis.
Since my wife's brother is a State Police officer, and his agency was the one operating this center, I tend to take it fairly seriously.