Urban Survival Scenario 2 (Son of Coldwoods thread)

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SkunkWerX

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CopyCat here, [edit: I meant Codger's thread] , he had a great idea.

I'd like to throw one out, "Survival and the Unknown".

In this Scenario, you don't have all the facts, and you are reliant upon trusting officials vs. dealing with your own gut instincts.

Where: You live in the suburbs of a City.
What: The Scenario is a widespread Power Outage.

And it goes like this.....

You are now into Day-2 of a widespread power failure. It's a Thursday, in November. Days in the Upper 40's Low 50's Nights in the Low 30's near freezing.

All of your coworkers have th same gripe, Power went out sometime late Tuesday evening and hasn't come back. Everyone shares stories of using candles on Wednesday night, cooking on their grill and going to bed early, hoping to wake up to electricity in the a.m. , no dice.

There was no storm, so it can't be the typical downed power lines storm kinda thing.

The Power Company hasn't given any specific information on the cause, or how long it will be out. their official statement is "We are still assessing the problem and will provide more information as it comes available".
The Mayor and State Governor have spoken and told everyone to remain calm, don't panic, they also have not given any details.
Radio reports are sketchy, there have been reports of similar failures in other parts of the nation. how many, no one knows for sure.

Power Company employees use "no comment" more than anything else.
Car radios is where most of the news is coming from, however, some ofthefamiliar stations aren't even broadcasting, presumably due to lack of electricity and fuel conservation for their generators.

Rumors are beginning: Terrorism? nah? couldn't be? could it?
Massive failure at the Power Generating Station? hmmm?
A neighbor down the street has a sister-in-law who works at the power Company, she told your neighbor it's "pretty bad" and to start stocking up on food and water, as that is what she is doing.

Lines are forming at the few gas stations that have back-up generators for pumping fuel.
Grocery stores are getting mobbed, and runnig low on TP, bottled water, batteries and Milk.
One radio report suggested that the president of the US would be speaking to the nation, but that may not be until later on Friday.

You have already talked to your co-workers and there is talk of your work shutting down for Friday. On your way home Thursday you notice some HumVees proceeding down a major road, you assume it's National Guardsmen.

1. How do you proceed?
2.What preparations do you make?
3. What are you thinking?
Remember you are in an urban area.

I will only comment or interfere in the discussion to guide it along.
I will add additional days tothe event, and news as they become available.
Example: "It's now Saturday and blah blah blah happened".

You can ask questions, they will only be answered with YES, NO, or Not Sure.

Part of this scenario is the not knowing 100% of the story, and having to deal with several posibilities and an unfolding storyline.

OK, have at it!! ....and have fun.

OH, all of you live in this town. Some of you may have things happen along the way.
 
It happened a couple years ago. Stretched from Western NY to central MI. Of course it was summer and it didn't last but a couple days.

So for my answers:

1. How do you proceed?

A - I live 30 miles from work. If at work I drive as far as traffic will allow before the sun goes down. Since I keep some items in the car for just such an emergency, at night fall I do the following:

Pull the car to the shoulder. Take to walking towards the house. Since the Detroit area is laced with creeks, rivers, and RR tracks I'd stick to traveling via these routes. Less likely to come across panic strickened individuals that want to do me harm for what I have. I already know the area so I know which routes lead where.

2.What preparations do you make?

A- In the car I keep (at all times) A BDU shirt and pants as an extra layer. Desert Camo - not the best for urban/suburban usage but they were free. A pair of insulated boots because I usually wear dress shoes at work. A first aid kit and a sort of BOB with knife, flashlight, gloves, and other items that will come in handy.

3. What are you thinking?

A- At only 30 miles (Max) I should be able to hike home before daybreak. Food should not be an issue but I'd grab bottled water and some grub before leaving work.
My primary concern is that the kids have made it home and the wife is there with them at the ready in case of accidental fires, looting, panic, etc.

If, while heading home, some sort of Martial Law is put in place I will definately take my chances traveling after dark. In November that shouldn't be a problem as it gets dark around 6:30 - 7:00 PM and is dark 'til 7:00AM.

Since we are only dealing with a power outage I'll stay put 'til the situation requires that i leave home or improves.

Chris
 
okay okay,
question #1 is dunking donuts still open?
if not i go to my basement where i can live for 45 days and sit tight for now. If ya cant live for at least 45 days in your basement you not even close to being prepared. So read this thread and get with it.
 
1. How do you proceed?

Start tuning in the short wave for as much news/ intel as possible. School for the kid and work are done until power comes back. Keep adequate ventilation in the house, but close off outer rooms to conserve heat inside main living area. Keep candles or portable heat going as possible but blankets and quilts all around. Have wife start extensive knitting of winter wear to keep her busy. Keep poeple intereseted/occupied with board /card games, I have an extensive collection. Check with all friendly neighbors within 2 mile walking distance ( they did this for us during the summer blackout so I would return the favor, possibly giving them one of the 2 ways to call us with if needed.) It's a cop and EMS /Fire Dept. heavey 'hood so I would ask around for details on the situation.

2.What preparations do you make?

All weapons and ammo and gear are checked and prepped for a possible bugout to another fall back point in state( more on that later). I begin carrying a concealed handgun around the house or outside on our property ( I do not possess a CCW). All frozen food goes on the grill or is put outdoors to stay fresh if it is cold enough in fenced in back yard. Start making plans for the tree out back to come down for fuel. We fill tub if water is still working if not we have three days of water for everyone stored already. Food probably a littel more. Melting of snow becomes a water supply possibilty. The household goes on 15 min. bugout possibilty( ie. we are loaded and gone in 15 ). I mail my father/brothers postcards and let him know I might be coming with guests( its worth a shot).
Look listen and learn about the situation and the local area.

3. What are you thinking?
Massive screw up on the power grid or EMP in the atmosphere. Solar flare? Either way were in a Situation.
 
if Dunkin Donuts is open, they are serving uncooked donut batter and cold coffee, they have no power!

OK, It's Friday morning. Power still out.
Your neighbor comes driving back into your neighborhood, he got near the interstate and it's gridlocked. Some word about the Feds closing the Interstate.

Water pressure in City system is now gone. makes you wish you would have filled the tub with water, huh?

Scenario continues, now, no power, no public water.

keep going.
 
Jeff, all good points except the following:
Have wife start extensive knitting of winter wear to keep her busy
Click to expand...
If one lives in an area that has cold novembers, they should have ample winter wear. I probably have more blankets, jackets and coats than I know what to do with. But on the other hand, I agree with keeping busy.

Water pressure in City system is now gone. makes you wish you would have filled the tub with water, huh?

Scenario continues, now, no power, no public water.
Click to expand...

I still have more than 30 gallons in the water heater. ;)
 
They say to plan on about 2 gallons per person, per day. With a family of 4, you have about 4 days of water in a hot water heater. By the end of the weekend you'll be running out, or real low.

If you are staying put, and there is no sign of Power coming back up, how do we get more water? of course we start realizing that we need it for drinking, so we stop with bathing and washing.

Your neighbor has already tied the corners of a blue tarp to several trees, to collect any rain water that may fall. What are you going to do, what are the other options for water.

And by the way, the food in your fridge has spoiled beyond use. Toss it.
the freezer has thawed out, some of the stuff is still cool to the touch, but won't last much longer.
What do you do?
 
Heres a question, and I'll accept a YES or NO answer.

Being in the suburbs, there is at least one swimming pool per block (being conservative). Can pool water (shocked and treated for the winter) be boiled to a potable level?

Thanks

cs

EDIT: BTW, I'd have an evaporation still set up in the yard ASAP. Simple anf effective. If the pool water can not be made drinkable, I'd use it to fuel the still by pouring it into the ground beneath the still.
 
Rupestris said:
Being in the suburbs, there is at least one swimming pool per block (being conservative). Can pool water (shocked and treated for the winter) be boiled to a potable level?
Click to expand...

No, pool water can never be made potable, short of distilling it. However, you can use it to flush the toilet.

Oh, and referencing a comment someone made earlier in this thread, 2 gallons of water per day is actually pretty cushy. The American Red Cross says 1 - 2 gallons per day.

This scenario is pretty interesting, but the temperatures you quote are pretty unlikely where I live (CA). Try this scenario with temperatures hitting +100 degrees in the daytime and you have something a LOT more likely for where I live.

As for what I'd do, well, I'm stuck in the middle of a couple of million pretty clueless people. Ain't no escaping from here. So I'd activate the Neighborhood Association's disaster preparedness group and we'd proceed with the disaster plan for a "long emergency." (Note that this plan doesn't currently exist -- we're still organizing.)

That plan will identify in advance the things that we as a neighborhood need to do, but it will definitely include making sure anyone in the neighborhood who needs electricity to stay alive (due to a ventilator, for example -- we have many elderly people here) is taken to the nearest hospital. After that, we'll go through "the plan," which will include hooking up with the city for emergency relief supplies. Y'see, I know I can't go it alone what with all the people around here, so I intend to "join" the authorities until things settle down.

I'd also be listening to the shortwave for whatever information I can get. And I'd be doing other things privately to prepare for a worst-case "going it alone" scenario, which I would hope would never happen because I don't expect to be able to survive it.
 
OK, It's Friday morning. Power still out.
Your neighbor comes driving back into your neighborhood, he got near the interstate and it's gridlocked. Some word about the Feds closing the Interstate
Click to expand...
.

Bug in begins. would walk to teh interstate to recon with binocs. Its close.

Water pressure in City system is now gone. makes you wish you would have filled the tub with water, huh?
Click to expand...

No worries. just a possible source.:yawn:



If one lives in an area that has cold novembers, they should have ample winter wear. I probably have more blankets, jackets and coats than I know what to do with. But on the other hand, I agree with keeping busy.
Click to expand...

Wife was also thinking for trade goods



If you are staying put, and there is no sign of Power coming back up, how do we get more water? of course we start realizing that we need it for drinking, so we stop with bathing and washing.

Your neighbor has already tied the corners of a blue tarp to several trees, to collect any rain water that may fall. What are you going to do, what are the other options for water.
Click to expand...


Toilet tanks, water heater, put buckets/barrels on the run off drain from the roof.


And by the way, the food in your fridge has spoiled beyond use. Toss it.
the freezer has thawed out, some of the stuff is still cool to the touch, but won't last much longer.
What do you do?
Click to expand...


Stuff that was cool from the freezer gets grilled and eaten. Pool food/water with neighbors if needed.

Later talk to family about bugging out or in, outline options, (Any intel?) No change in situation by Monday we would be leaving for other locale ( fathers house) 63 miles away by back roads, or interstates if they have cleared. All gear would be split between two vehicles, my car (The Interceptor) and the wifes station wagon ( the Landmaster 1). We leave black on black with the occasional assist from my surefire until we are out of town. Contact maintained by cb or 2ways ( we have both). We do not stop for road blocks but move ahead carefully but quickly. After out of town lights and speed can increase. Every able adult is armed discreetly. Force will be met with force.

A question. I assume this is planned out already Skunk; is this a survivable scenario or are we just trying to see who staves off the end the longest?
 
S..t. Moving to the basement? Double s..t. Hiding in the corner with a stack of .22 rimfires? Triple s..t. Gettin out of Dodge? :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
 
It's survivable. It's about seeing your way through the maze problems and challenges best way possible.

High marks for grilling that freezer food. cook the heck out of it!
Night time temps are low enough that some food can be kept cool at night.
Thrown into a cooler during the day. the nights are close to freezing, maybe some thin peices of ice can be formed on top of trash can lids and such and used in the coolers.

Swimming pool is excellent comment! However, I must make it less of an option, and here is why (no B.S. stuff here). If you are in an area of suburbia with some pools, there may be one every 20 houses or so. In a climate such as i described, they would have "shut down" their pool late September, or so. This means draining to a certain level (Half full?). Also, now it is full of mucky yucky water, leaves, maybea dead rodent. I still think it is a great idea in the overall scheme. These people may have some pool chems left over, and yes, it could be filtered and treated, then maybe even boiled.
high marks, IF you can convince them to share. Even a goldfish pond or fountain would be fair game.

Storyline continues: It's Sunday, people have run out water. They just aren't as conservative as you are, but your supplies also won't last many more days. You have place buckets and containers outside by your rainspouts in hopes of a passin rain shower.

The governemnt is still doing a tap dance, and it is confirmed that other Power Companies in other major cities in north America are experiencing the same thing.

Several neighbors are heard yelling, at a house down the block.
It's the house with the swimming pool! That neighbor isn't so keen on letting go with his pool water. He brandishes his hunting rifle and sends the other neighbors packing. Cursing is heard. People are getting real edgy.

When the neighbors , who are starting to resemble a mob, more each day, ask you about how you are fairing, what do you tell them about your situation and supplies?

One neighbor packed his family and left, but returned in the wee hours, Roads are blocked. State Highway has palced large pieces of equipment blocking the Interstate. Another nighbor knew where the power station was, he headed out of town towards it, he got within a few miles of it, but, they too, had closed the road. It is unknown as to whether the secondary roads are passable or not. Forget gasoline at this point, all station are out, or can't pump.

You can use any items that you currently own. If you own a generator, you can use it. If you don't have a swimming pool, then you can't assume it.
If your neighbors are currently very close friends, you can assume use and sharing of gear with them.

The house is getting pretty cold at night, and it's only Novemeber.
It hasn't even been a week yet, without power.

In the distance, every once in a while you hear gunshots, in the direction of town and the business district. rumors are it's geting a little dicey in some areas.
 
That swimming pool is going to be up for grabs. I would take the opportunity to fill every possible container in the apartment. Even if you can't drink it, you can flush it. That stink is going to get obnoxious fast. Otherwise, filter it and boil it. Use the collander, if you have one, and a clean piece of cotton, like a tee-shirt, to filter it. Boil it, filter it, again and again...don't worry about wasting energy resources, use them now, they will disappear soon. Good drinking water will be in high demand.

There's a difference about living in a city apartment, where utilities are provided, or not, beyond your control...and living in a country house where you provide and control your water and heat, maybe even your own electricity (wind, solar, generator).

Cook all perishable foods, eat the protein first. Save canned foods for last. Do not tell your neighbors what resources you have. First they will be politely knocking on your door, asking for help. Secondly, they will be demanding it. Lastly, they will be knocking down your door with carving knives.

Figure out the clothing you really want to keep and use. The rest can be traded, maybe. Some of us have too much clothing, others not enough. Layer yourself. Don't burn calories with useless activity. Stay calm. This is a good time to be a well-armed couch potato.
 
Politics: This situation could go on for a long time, and when people realize that the cavalry ain't coming, they will organize. Organization starts with the shoes on your feet, to your body, to your apartment, to your building complex as a collective shelter unit, and then to the neighborhood.

Pushy people will step forward, to control things, some with stupid ideas. Committees will be formed, more stupid ideas. Are you going to lead, follow or get out of the way?

Some may try to ration out resources that you may own. Food and water for example. Building security will become an issue. Who gets to hold the guns?
 
More questions for SWX. This is his scenario.

1 - How old is the suburb? I currently live in a suburb that is made up of postage stamp lots with 50 - 60 year old houses.

Is this a newer suburb? more afluent?

Just trying to get a grip on demographics. Many of my neighbors are older retirees and elderly that have owned their homes since new. Aiding the elderly of the comunity may play a part in daily decisions as their sons/daughters may not be able to reach them.

2 - Is there a navigable waterway near by? Can it be accessed from side roads (as the interstates and highways are now inaccessable)? Being November, most would not have frozen yet. This could provide transportation routes as well as food and water.

3 - Wildlife. Are there squirrels, rabbits, dove, etc. that can be harvested if needed?
 
Been there... preps in place;
1. Stick a couple of solar panels in south facing windows, connect them to the batteries. Switch over to inverter power.
2. If in winter; drag out the tent furnace (fabricated from the bottom half of a gas water heater) attach it to the chimny and gas source then light the pilot and set the thermostat. Place some 2 liter bolttles of water outside to freeze (to keep the frige cold). Get out the long johns. Prepare to switch over to the stored propane if it becomes necessary.
3. load the jeep with the bugout supplies.
4. make a run to the store for any last minute items and munchies, beer etc.
5. fill the oil lamps and distribute them about.
6. help to clog up the phone system by calling my friends, arrange a meeting place if evacuation is forced.
7. If in summer/no way to get ice by freezing water; make jerky out of any meat in the freezer, using the oven.
8. take the post hole digger out back and make a multi day cathole. (A 5 galon bucket with a hole in the lid and no bottom makes an OK seat).
9. check the internet for news, post on a couple of forems, assuming the internet is accessable.
10. Put some tunes on the box or pop a movie in, open a beer and kick back. The batteries will easily power the toys for 8 hours a day for a week, longer than this and I will have to install solar panels on the roof (ataching points and wiring already in place) or fire up the genny for an hour per day.
11. periodicly check the radio for news, especialy the BBC and other shortwave stations.
12. place the Rem 870 in a handy accessable location

No worries... plenty of food and water.

Enjoy!
 
well i live in the suburbs right next to a pond so i would be set for water as long as we, boil, filter, ect. i would go to the forest/park near our house and start cutting down trees for fuel to warm the house, but we do have nearly 2 cords of wood right now. i would have all mags for the ar15 loaded and a bunch of clips w/ loaders nearby. i would nail a plastic cloth right on the entrance to the stairs goin to the second floor to keep the heat down here. as for the food, its usally 40 here during the day so i would keep all the food outside or in a cooler packed with ice/snow. the last thing that i would do would be to siphon all the gas from the jeep/lawn mower/snow blower and dump it into the misubishi (this car gets beter mileage)
 
The fleeing continues. Since the highways are out we stay to the back roads. Since the trip would be longer we might have to stop for gas or hoof the last bit using the maps, compass and GPS in the cars. I figure we can do 5 -10 mile a day depending on conditions walking. Stealthy and unobserved is the by word. With the NEF 12 ga. and me on point I would look like any other local country boy round the parts near my dad's home, and could keep the group moving.

We abandon the cars if they are out of gas or become a greater liabilty than shelter or movement. We arrive at my father's house within a day or two. He has a much large house and some land and is in a relatively rural neighboor hood. Not so good; he does not have a great deal of preparedness gear. We would have a few more rifles and ammo. Extended family and one brother live very close so I think linking up with them would then be the best bet. My brother's in laws( who like us) have a big wood heated house wich I'm sure we could help them fortifiey. After that its asses needs and options time. Continue to monitor sources of info.
 
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