What to do when the lights go out

[richs]

We're capable campers/backpackers. Food's not that big a problem, I've got enough dehydrated backpacking food for a week or so and can hunt with primitive tools. For water, I have 2 filtration systems and a stream in the back yard... As for survival training, I'm ready (I teach Wilderness Survival for the Troop), kids are ready (one's an Eagle Scout)... but the wife (sadly) is a gonner, she hates being outside for very long.
Also, I'm fairly good at making stuff from scratch. I'm looking into building a forge, got some blacksmithing experience. I'm also gifted at repairing things, figuring out what broke and what I need to do to fix it. A forge would be handy for hardening steel as well as smelting metal.

 

[Candy Corn Rocks]

I'm screwed in Buckhead. Bunker down for maybe two weeks (on current supplies) before I'd have to scavenge for supplies. Damn townhouse. But we're newly weds, looking to purchase a home in a year or two.. She accepts that part of the home will be for long term storage.

 

[Wolf six]

I'm screwed in Buckhead. Bunker down for maybe two weeks (on current supplies) before I'd have to scavenge for supplies. Damn townhouse. But we're newly weds, looking to purchase a home in a year or two.. She accepts that part of the home will be for long term storage.

You need to network with survivalists

We're capable campers/backpackers. Food's not that big a problem, I've got enough dehydrated backpacking food for a week or so and can hunt with primitive tools. For water, I have 2 filtration systems and a stream in the back yard... As for survival training, I'm ready (I teach Wilderness Survival for the Troop), kids are ready (one's an Eagle Scout)... but the wife (sadly) is a gonner, she hates being outside for very long.

Skills arent the thing, its having the will to survive and endure the circumstances that will allow people to make it through

 

[Sowega86]

My folks live in central Virginia which is served by Dominion Power. During the winter of 2011, a nor'easter passed through dumping snow and knocking out the electrical grid for about 10 days. My folks had running water and natural gas for heating and bathing. But with no electricity, the food in the fridge spoiled. Fortunately they survived due to an over-stocked pantry and a Coleman camp stove with lots of old fuel. With no power, the banks and ATMs close as do the gas stations and grocery stores. Hospitals would be on generators until diesel fuel ran out. And with no traffic lights, driving could be hazardous- they live in a large metro area (1.3 million). My folks were in their early 80's and survived very well. At a minimum, it would be well to have sufficient canned goods and dry packaged foods for 3-6 mos. and cases of bottled water.