MAKE THE MOST OF EMERGENCIES
Photo: Chris Gallagher @chriswebdog
I recently experiences a dramatic weather event. Violent winds brought chaos and destruction to my rural community and many others surrounding. After living a week without power the experience and lessons are still fresh in my mind. I found myself sitting there in the darkness wondering about a truly SHTF grid down situation. Imagining that the power never comes back on, or if it does it takes months.
The sounds of generators and chainsaws running through the day and into the night. A quick walk around the neighbourhood and you know who has resources. Some people have lights on and other conviences due to their portable fuel generators. Not very discreet. How long before they run out of fuel? What becomes a priority to run the generator?
Our hot water tank held enough for 4 of us to have quick warmish showers for three days. Washing ourselves then became a bigger task. We need fuel to heat water. More resources. What do we do when the fuel runs out? Some people I know had no water. Their source coming from a well or a lake pumped by electric motors. They had to hauling water. Chopping wood for fires to heat, cook, and wash.
Lots of stores stayed closed. Deliveries where not happening. No refrigeration, no lights, no payment machines. Waste. Lost opportunities. Lost jobs. People sent home. Supplies not available to be purchased. How long will the food I have stored at home last? Everyone, or at least large numbers of people in urban centres will be looking for food. Kids going hungry can drive parents to desperation.
Schools closed. Kids stayed home. Parents couldn’t work. Tempers flared as patience wore thin. Everyone was experiencing the same thing. People were on edge. Some copping better than others. Some people left to stay with friends and family. Their homes left sitting quietly in the dark.
Thankfully this happened in late spring. Not too hot, not winter. Winter, imaging months without power in the middle of Northern winter. Shit would go sideways fast for the majority of people.
How are the people around you reacting, managing? Is your spouse freaking out, or cool, calm, and collected. How about your kids? What is the vibe in your neighbourhood? Who is managing and who is not? How are your municipal, provincial / state and federal governments responding? Are emergency services available? Taking note of all of these points now will give you clues as to how things may unfold during a longer, more serious scenario. Use your Survival Knowledge Journal to make your notes.
The main take aways…most people are not prepared for even 2-3 days without services. Tempers flared, stores closed, people stayed with kids at home, others left going who knows where. Make the most of these test situations to evaluate your preparations and those of the people around you. Pay specific attention to people in your family. Everyone handles stress differently. You will get a good sample of how others may react in the future. Take this time to shore up your plans. Know what triggers you have (if this line is crossed, we do this, etc). Lay your plans now.
Northern Survivalist
Cover Photo: NOAA @noaa