How Many Folks Here Are Prepared to Ride Out 3 Months of No Stores/Gas Stations Open?

There's a show that highlights these fancy (and some not-so-fancy) underground bunkers, and it seems that the majority of these people are looking at government created crises, and not necessarily forces of nature, although the bunkers are generally designed to withstand those forces.

A few of them seem to be rational people with money to burn. Most of them appear to be big government conspiracy theorists who have probably watched too many post-apocalyptic movies.

In 2004 I went thru 4 hurricanes in six consecutive weeks. Hurricanes Charley, Francis, Ivan, and Jeanne all hit one after each other. Charley hit in august, and was responded to in a normal fashion. But there was no time for any rebuilding or government assistance when 3 hurricanes hit only ten days apart in one month. September 5th: Francis (cat 4), Sept 15: Ivan (cat 3) Sept 25th: Jeanne (cat 3). There was only a matter of a few days before the next one came in. For that entre time there was no power anywhere to be seen in any of the neighborhoods around my house, nor street lights. There were downed trees, power poles, lines, and signs every where. Thousands upon thousand of trees like pick up sticks strewn across roads. Not even a 4x4 can traverse dozens of trees six feet in diameter strewn together in a mass of carnage. Where's your aid coming now? Oh and by the way you have 3 days before the next Category 3 hurricane hits. Better get chopping!!


I was the only house that I know of that had power, air conditioning, food, running water, and a flushing toilet. Because I was prepared. If I'm an idiot because I'm ready..... what dose that make those who are not?

Also, if you read my posts you would see that I am prepped to be mobile and to get out of dodge if need be. I understand that my house could be destroyed along with every thing I own. That's why I have prepared to live without my house if needed. It is a simple as lightning. I live in the lightning capitol of the united states. Three houses up, a house was burnt to ground from lightning. Why not at lest try to be ready to survive? I have two daughters, one son, and a wife I need to as a man to make provisions for. I don't find it foolish to try to protect them. I find it foolish to expect the government to provide for my family.

LostMarbels said:

In 2004 I went thru 4 hurricanes in six consecutive weeks. Hurricanes Charley, Francis, Ivan, and Jeanne all hit one after each other. Charley hit in august, and was responded to in a normal fashion. But there was no time for any rebuilding or government assistance when 3 hurricanes hit only ten days apart in one month. September 5th: Francis (cat 4), Sept 15: Ivan (cat 3) Sept 25th: Jeanne (cat 3). There was only a matter of a few days before the next one came in. For that entre time there was no power anywhere to be seen in any of the neighborhoods around my house, nor street lights. There were downed trees, power poles, lines, and signs every where. Thousands upon thousand of trees like pick up sticks strewn across roads. Not even a 4x4 can traverse dozens of trees six feet in diameter strewn together in a mass of carnage. Where's your aid coming now? Oh and by the way you have 3 days before the next Category 3 hurricane hits. Better get chopping!!


I was the only house that I know of that had power, air conditioning, food, running water, and a flushing toilet. Because I was prepared. If I'm an idiot because I'm ready..... what dose that make those who are not?

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I'm not sure anyone has said you're an idiot. You might be getting a tad too worked up here.

I do agree with the community aspect though - had your conditions gone on, how would your neighbors react to you being the sole person with all those things?

Also, if you read my posts you would see that I am prepped to be mobile and to get out of dodge if need be. I understand that my house could be destroyed along with every thing I own. That's why I have prepared to live without my house if needed. It is a simple as lightning. I live in the lightning capitol of the united states. Three houses up, a house was burnt to ground from lightning. Why not at lest try to be ready to survive? I have two daughters, one son, and a wife I need to as a man to make provisions for. I don't find it foolish to try to protect them. I find it foolish to expect the government to provide for my family.

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Being alone out of dodge isn't going to help you any. That's what the overlaying point is that I see here. Unless YOU are prepared for many many many many moons, you need a community to help you, or you're going to die just like everyone else...just slower and alone.

LostMarbels said:

In 2004 I went thru 4 hurricanes in six consecutive weeks. Hurricanes Charley, Francis, Ivan, and Jeanne all hit one after each other. Charley hit in august, and was responded to in a normal fashion. But there was no time for any rebuilding or government assistance when 3 hurricanes hit only ten days apart in one month. September 5th: Francis (cat 4), Sept 15: Ivan (cat 3) Sept 25th: Jeanne (cat 3). There was only a matter of a few days before the next one came in. For that entre time there was no power anywhere to be seen in any of the neighborhoods around my house, nor street lights. There were downed trees, power poles, lines, and signs every where. Thousands upon thousand of trees like pick up sticks strewn across roads. Not even a 4x4 can traverse dozens of trees six feet in diameter strewn together in a mass of carnage. Where's your aid coming now? Oh and by the way you have 3 days before the next Category 3 hurricane hits. Better get chopping!!


I was the only house that I know of that had power, air conditioning, food, running water, and a flushing toilet. Because I was prepared. If I'm an idiot because I'm ready..... what dose that make those who are not?

Also, if you read my posts you would see that I am prepped to be mobile and to get out of dodge if need be. I understand that my house could be destroyed along with every thing I own. That's why I have prepared to live without my house if needed. It is a simple as lightning. I live in the lightning capitol of the united states. Three houses up, a house was burnt to ground from lightning. Why not at lest try to be ready to survive? I have two daughters, one son, and a wife I need to as a man to make provisions for. I don't find it foolish to try to protect them. I find it foolish to expect the government to provide for my family.

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Well you might be an idiot, but that would be for where you choose to live, not for making plans appropriate to your location.

But I'd be an idiot preparing for a flood or hurricane. Earthquake Ok, here is So Cal. Where I live prepping for fire would be absurd any fire would have to burn through 4 miles of homes and jump a major freeway (fireblock) on the way.

That said there are places within 10 miles of me where people should be ready for a brushfire, including some where the only reasonably sure prep is a working, as in recently ridden, dirt bike, as in motorcycle, no motor means overrun.

BUT personally I'd call any fire prepers in those areas idiots, not because of their plans, but because they chose to live in a potential deathtrap. (One road in canyon, only other way out is dirt roads for power company access to the power towers. One had better have a dirt bike and have checked the gates at both ends of such roads to be sure you can get a motorcycle through. And again recently ridden, one 'mothballed' is most likely not going to start up easily and fast enough to save you. And of course you have to be willing to let any family pets fry. A choice I'm not setting myself up for).

LostMarbels said:

In 2004 I went thru 4 hurricanes in six consecutive weeks. Hurricanes Charley, Francis, Ivan, and Jeanne all hit one after each other. Charley hit in august, and was responded to in a normal fashion. But there was no time for any rebuilding or government assistance when 3 hurricanes hit only ten days apart in one month. September 5th: Francis (cat 4), Sept 15: Ivan (cat 3) Sept 25th: Jeanne (cat 3). There was only a matter of a few days before the next one came in. For that entre time there was no power anywhere to be seen in any of the neighborhoods around my house, nor street lights. There were downed trees, power poles, lines, and signs every where. Thousands upon thousand of trees like pick up sticks strewn across roads. Not even a 4x4 can traverse dozens of trees six feet in diameter strewn together in a mass of carnage. Where's your aid coming now? Oh and by the way you have 3 days before the next Category 3 hurricane hits. Better get chopping!!

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We all make choices on where we want to live. The consequences of that choice is something one has to live with.

I was the only house that I know of that had power, air conditioning, food, running water, and a flushing toilet. Because I was prepared. If I'm an idiot because I'm ready..... what dose that make those who are not?

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Were you guarding your house, food, etc day and night with weapons? If a neighbor came along asking for some fresh water would you give him some? What about a stranger? The feeling I get from many preppers is the idea that "they got theirs and if you don't, tough luck sucker!"

Also, if you read my posts you would see that I am prepped to be mobile and to get out of dodge if need be. I understand that my house could be destroyed along with every thing I own. That's why I have prepared to live without my house if needed. It is a simple as lightning. I live in the lightning capitol of the united states. Three houses up, a house was burnt to ground from lightning. Why not at lest try to be ready to survive? I have two daughters, one son, and a wife I need to as a man to make provisions for. I don't find it foolish to try to protect them. I find it foolish to expect the government to provide for my family.

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So when the next hurricance comes and wipes out your house and your method of mobility, what then? Will you go it alone or depend on others who may not have been hit as hard?

PreachersWife2004 said:

I'm not sure anyone has said you're an idiot. You might be getting a tad too worked up here.

I do agree with the community aspect though - had your conditions gone on, how would your neighbors react to you being the sole person with all those things?



Being alone out of dodge isn't going to help you any. That's what the overlaying point is that I see here. Unless YOU are prepared for many many many many moons, you need a community to help you, or you're going to die just like everyone else...just slower and alone.

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That's the thing I don't get is this sense of isolation I get from "preppers", as if they will be going it alone (or with a select group of people, predetermined) and anyone who dares wonder by will be shot or otherwise defended against. It's like they plan on losing all sense of humanity, of helping one another, of helping those in need. Reminds me of stories of the wild west in the 1800's.

I would much rather be in a community where we have to work together to survive, whether it be for days, weeks, months, or years.

BigDaddy4 said:

That's the thing I don't get is this sense of isolation I get from "preppers", as if they will be going it alone (or with a select group of people, predetermined) and anyone who dares wonder by will be shot or otherwise defended against. It's like they plan on losing all sense of humanity, of helping one another, of helping those in need. Reminds me of stories of the wild west in the 1800's.

I would much rather be in a community where we have to work together to survive, whether it be for days, weeks, months, or years.

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I remember Y2K and the fools who thought it would cause major disruptions. They stocked up on food and supplies and then stayed put in the middle of big cities. Idiots. As if society could collapse and they could keep a hoard.

There was one sane one I know of, he moved to the middle of nowhere. He was wrong, but at least logical given his assumptions.

I assumed there was actually a pretty good chance of some date triggered virus attacks so I watched the news where it started for reports of nasty viruses from Oz and New Zealand. None. If the million to 1 chance of real nastiness happened I still had enough time to get out of Dodge and I would have been much better off than prepers who had planned for weeks.

Look, after the slow response from FEMA after Hurricane Katrina, does anyone really want to stake their lives on a government rescue response?
Instead of being part of the problem, prepare yourself for at least a week on your own.
I'm not sure why there is so much anger towards people who prepare for emergencies.

I am prepared for longer than that

BigDaddy4 said:

That's the thing I don't get is this sense of isolation I get from "preppers", as if they will be going it alone (or with a select group of people, predetermined) and anyone who dares wonder by will be shot or otherwise defended against. It's like they plan on losing all sense of humanity, of helping one another, of helping those in need. Reminds me of stories of the wild west in the 1800's.

I would much rather be in a community where we have to work together to survive, whether it be for days, weeks, months, or years.

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How about food riots or a total loss of law or a military action? I can think of more than one scenerio where protection and prepardedness are called for and where you might well be on your own or severely outnumbered

psalms 91 said:

How about food riots or a total loss of law or a military action? I can think of more than one scenerio where protection and prepardedness are called for and where you might well be on your own or severely outnumbered

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I think in both of those scenarios, you're just screwed, and every prepper with you. You can only last so long on what YOU have.

PreachersWife2004 said:

I think in both of those scenarios, you're just screwed, and every prepper with you. You can only last so long on what YOU have.

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That is why I studied plants and have heirloom seeds, my supplies are only to get me through until I can provide off the land and of course stuff for barter. Of course God is our ultimate protection and supplier

psalms 91 said:

That is why I studied plants and have heirloom seeds, my supplies are only to get me through until I can provide off the land and of course stuff for barter. Of course God is our ultimate protection and supplier

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Yes He is, but that's not really a "physical" designation, is it?

Your knowledge and supplies puts you at a greater risk. Not saying it's a bad thing, just pointing that out.

PreachersWife2004 said:

I'm not sure anyone has said you're an idiot. You might be getting a tad too worked up here.

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I was addressing the satment made by keith99. Im not getting defensive because I do not feel I have to defend my position.

PreachersWife2004 said:

I do agree with the community aspect though - had your conditions gone on, how would your neighbors react to you being the sole person with all those things?

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Probably the same way the 5 foolish virgins responded to the wise. " we didn't prepare, give us your stuff!!" However there is such a thing as personal accountability. Why aren't you prepared? Why is it now my responsibility to take care of your family?

However I provided power for my next door neighbor, and the household behind me for lights and refrigeration. I was also able to provide water to 5 homes (including the two stated) by connecting garden hoses to their houses to my well. We had a 'daisy' chain of hoses going in one side of a house to the other. Honestly I'm laughing so hard. we still laugh about my 'community well'. water pressured was horrid, but it worked. I also provided my 5 chainsaws, axes, shovels, and various landscaping equipment to help with debris removal.

PreachersWife2004 said:

Being alone out of dodge isn't going to help you any. That's what the overlaying point is that I see here. Unless YOU are prepared for many many many many moons, you need a community to help you, or you're going to die just like everyone else...just slower and alone.

Click to expand...

Yes and no. I have the ability with the gear, and skills I have mentioned to live indefinitely. Provided, everything is not destroyed in said disaster.

Also I'm not alone.... The vast majority of my community is likewise minded, and we came together as community. We all live in the country and kind of click up like that anyways. We had like 10 gas grills going in my, and my rear neighbors back yard. Because we had power to keep food. We survived together.

keith99 said:

Well you might be an idiot, but that would be for where you choose to live, not for making plans appropriate to your location.

But I'd be an idiot preparing for a flood or hurricane. Earthquake Ok, here is So Cal. Where I live prepping for fire would be absurd any fire would have to burn through 4 miles of homes and jump a major freeway (fireblock) on the way.

That said there are places within 10 miles of me where people should be ready for a brushfire, including some where the only reasonably sure prep is a working, as in recently ridden, dirt bike, as in motorcycle, no motor means overrun.

BUT personally I'd call any fire prepers in those areas idiots, not because of their plans, but because they chose to live in a potential deathtrap. (One road in canyon, only other way out is dirt roads for power company access to the power towers. One had better have a dirt bike and have checked the gates at both ends of such roads to be sure you can get a motorcycle through. And again recently ridden, one 'mothballed' is most likely not going to start up easily and fast enough to save you. And of course you have to be willing to let any family pets fry. A choice I'm not setting myself up for).

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I can see your point. However I am only stating that I have prepared for events that I could have an effect on by prepping for. If a hurricane comes, I can leave, and not worry about where I need to go. Because I have the equipment t survive until I can get a new home etc...

BigDaddy4 said:

We all make choices on where we want to live. The consequences of that choice is something one has to live with.

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Ok... agreed.

BigDaddy4 said:

Were you guarding your house, food, etc day and night with weapons? .

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No.... this was in real life, not some movie plot.

BigDaddy4 said:

If a neighbor came along asking for some fresh water would you give him some?...

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Of course!

BigDaddy4 said:

What about a stranger?.

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Of course!

BigDaddy4 said:

The feeling I get from many preppers is the idea that "they got theirs and if you don't, tough luck sucker!"

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Why is it my responsibility? I have to take care of my family before I can even consider taking care of someone else.

BigDaddy4 said:

So when the next hurricance comes and wipes out your house and your method of mobility, what then? ...

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I have the equipment to stay put if necessary. Chances are ever even if my truck was under a tree. A vast majority of my gear would be undamaged since their in water tight steel boxes, in my utility bed. You know.... the trucks with all the boxes on the back? I have a reading and their tuff. There made to carry a load and don't crush all too easily.

BigDaddy4 said:

Will you go it alone or depend on others who may not have been hit as hard?

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That would depend entirely on the situation.

Annabel Lee said:

Look, after the slow response from FEMA after Hurricane Katrina, does anyone really want to stake their lives on a government rescue response?
Instead of being part of the problem, prepare yourself for at least a week on your own.
I'm not sure why there is so much anger towards people who prepare for emergencies.

Click to expand...

The "preppers" I'm talking about are the ones who prepare for a doomsday scenario, not some natural disaster.

I think FEMA has learned many things since Katrina. I wouldn't necessarily stake my life on their response, but would trust the compassion of my neighbors who may be in a similar situation to band together and get through it.

LostMarbels said:

I was addressing the satment made by keith99. Im not getting defensive because I do not feel I have to defend my position.



Probably the same way the 5 foolish virgins responded to the wise. " we didn't prepare, give us your stuff!!" However there is such a thing as personal accountability. Why aren't you prepared? Why is it now my responsibility to take care of your family?

However I provided power for my next door neighbor, and the household behind me for lights and refrigeration. I was also able to provide water to 5 homes (including the two stated) by connecting garden hoses to their houses to my well. We had a 'daisy' chain of hoses going in one side of a house to the other. Honestly I'm laughing so hard. we still laugh about my 'community well'. water pressured was horrid, but it worked. I also provided my 5 chainsaws, axes, shovels, and various landscaping equipment to help with debris removal.



Yes and no. I have the ability with the gear, and skills I have mentioned to live indefinitely. Provided, everything is not destroyed in said disaster.

Also I'm not alone.... The vast majority of my community is likewise minded, and we came together as community. We all live in the country and kind of click up like that anyways. We had like 10 gas grills going in my, and my rear neighbors back yard. Because we had power to keep food. We survived together.



I can see your point. However I am only stating that I have prepared for events that I could have an effect on by prepping for. If a hurricane comes, I can leave, and not worry about where I need to go. Because I have the equipment t survive until I can get a new home etc...



Ok... agreed.



No.... this was in real life, not some movie plot.



Of course!



Of course!



Why is it my responsibility? I have to take care of my family before I can even consider taking care of someone else.



I have the equipment to stay put if necessary. Chances are ever even if my truck was under a tree. A vast majority of my gear would be undamaged since their in water tight steel boxes, in my utility bed. You know.... the trucks with all the boxes on the back? I have a reading and their tuff. There made to carry a load and don't crush all too easily.



That would depend entirely on the situation.

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I understand your points and good for you! My bigger point was more of a doomsday scenario where it's every man, woman, and child for themselves. I don't get it. Your statement below sums it up for me.

No.... this was in real life, not some movie plot.

BigDaddy4 said:

I understand your points and good for you! My bigger point was more of a doomsday scenario where it's every man, woman, and child for themselves. I don't get it. Your statement below sums it up for me.

No.... this was in real life, not some movie plot.

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I have to be honest though.... I do not disparage those that do. I myself try to be prepared, but as I said "this is real life". I could end up being one of those people who end up dying in a hurricane.... even if I am prepared. I could also be one of those that survive a cataclysmic event, totally unprepared, but then what? Where do I go from there? We just survived a nuclear blast to die 43 days later of starvation, or only a few days later from thirst, or exposer.. I feel that if I'm not prepared, then why survive? What am I going to do in an event of cataclysmic proportions? I have two daughters..... in a world without law, what will become them? How would I feed them, keep them from being raped, or killed? I feel as if what can I do to at least try to protect them. I feel as if I at least have to try. I do not see this as foolish.

LostMarbels said:

I have to be honest though.... I do not disparage those that do. I myself try to be prepared, but as I said "this is real life". I could end up being one of those people who end up dying in a hurricane.... even if I am prepared. I could also be one of those that survive a cataclysmic event, totally unprepared, but then what? Where do I go from there? We just survived a nuclear blast to die 43 days later of starvation, or only a few days later from thirst, or exposer.. I feel that if I'm not prepared, then why survive? What am I going to do in an event of cataclysmic proportions? I have two daughters..... in a world without law, what will become them? How would I feed them, keep them from being raped, or killed? I feel as if what can I do to at least try to protect them. I feel as if I at least have to try. I do not see this as foolish.

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It is not foolish at all. There is a difference between preparing for an end of the world scenario where life is not worth living,, or for a limited economic event where a little time is needed to readjust the system and throw a few of the people responsible in jail. The challenge in that event is to keep panic from setting in where we attack each other for a bite to eat. Half of congress could resign overnight and we have a whole different set of possibilities. Forgive all consumer debt, freeze all home foreclosures, give the US not the Fed control of the currency, and tell people they'll be eating beans and rice for awhile. But we'll make it. People will start learning to grow food, save energy, an spend time reading books with the family without TV. Post peak oil need not be all a bad thing.

Ana the Ist said:

You know, I looked at the title of this thread and expected to be amused by some nonsense...but generally speaking this is all sound advice. Only thing that I would add is anyone expecting to be able to trade gold or silver (coins, jewelry) will likely be disappointed at the results. No one in their right mind would trade necessities like food or ammo for precious metals.

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Still though.....

When the MOB is law of the land, and the fallen have taken theirs, the NWO will still trade in gold and silver, and in that manner, precious metals will still have value to those within the beasts.

Almighty's humble servant said:

Still though.....

When the MOB is law of the land, and the fallen have taken theirs, the NWO will still trade in gold and silver, and in that manner, precious metals will still have value to those within the beasts.

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Actually whiskey would be good barter, it cleanses wounds, medicates for pain, and people just plain want it so it is good to barter and it wont spoil.