Top 100 Items to Disappear First During a National Emergency

[JC5123]

We have rest areas here in Wyoming that are largely solar powered. Their design has always intrigued me as being both very simple, and very efficient. The relevant info is on page 2 of the PDF. Pretty cool.

http://www.dot.state.wy.us/webdav/site/wydot/shared/Public%20Affairs/Rest%20Areas/Rest%20Areas%202008_web.pdf

[jaybet]

Sun powered turd burners?

[Outlaw]

Close but no cigar.

The first thing to disappear would be your FREEDOM OF INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES!!!!!!

That's when you really find out who the true Americans are on the local Police forces as well as the Politicians   

The answer would probably sadden you deeply. Remember Katrina.....

[Ulmus]

The trick is building for the climate, and all those folks that think A/C and pool filters are necessities better wake up and smell the fuel and electric bills.The fact that the average American can't live with out a cord hanging off every thing he owns, and walking is only to get from the recliner to the car are the reason oil exporting nations have you by the balls.
Any one who buys a generator expecting it to last through more than a minor disruption is the sort of idiot who's death will be no great loss to the nation. If the power goes out gas pumps don't work, how much gas you got on hand ? Enough for a month ?

A month?  The area affected by the hurricane was without power for six months.  Right then I realised how OPEC has this country by the short hairs. All you had to do was see almost every house running a generator.   

Some people also need either power or ice to keep their medicines properly cool.  Insulin for diabetics for example.


Trying to get air circulation is good, but when you have 90% humidity going on with afternoon showers, it doesn't work so well.  Lot's of houses were condemned by the county due to mold and not hurricane damage.

And don't forget, if you were lucky enough to have your house intact or easily repaired. you still had to go to work to kepp the momney coming in.  You really want to keep the windows open during a crisis while you're away?

[tombogan03884]

A month?  The area affected by the hurricane was without power for six months.  Right then I realised how OPEC has this country by the short hairs. All you had to do was see almost every house running a generator.  

Some people also need either power or ice to keep their medicines properly cool.  Insulin for diabetics for example.


Trying to get air circulation is good, but when you have 90% humidity going on with afternoon showers, it doesn't work so well.  Lot's of houses were condemned by the county due to mold and not hurricane damage.

And don't forget, if you were lucky enough to have your house intact or easily repaired. you still had to go to work to kepp the momney coming in.  You really want to keep the windows open during a crisis while you're away?

Ulmas, I was only referring to deliveries of gas for generators.
You are right though, people like diabetics who needed refrigerated meds had 2 choices, leave or die.
As for the homes, the blame lies with 2 groups of people, shoddy work by developers cranking out cookie cutter houses as cheaply as possible, and home buyers to stupid to realize that different environments require different building methods
Stick built plastic wrapped houses that may suit New England (The roofs don't shed or support the snow weight which means home owners have to rake or shovel their roofs after big storms) Suck in Fl. Well ventilated houses that might not be "Fungus factories" in Fl. are to expensive to heat up here.
The Old timer's built the way they did for reasons that post war "fast buck artists" don't give a sh#t about. You bought it, it's your problem.

[Sponsor]

[CJS3]

Don't forget trading currency. You may be able to trade ammo for services or neccessities, but your more likely to have to "give it away" at a high velocity. Having some gold or silver coin would be good choice. Gold for the big stuff, silver for day to day type stuff. I've been buying silver (US) coins for a while, just to have. More insurance than investment.

[Ulmus]

@Tombogan03884:  You are right on the delivery of fuel being a very fragile and easily broken item.  We were lucky enough to be able to drive a little north into the next county for fuel.

I think the best "test" of this list is to keep it handy while watching what happens in Libya.  Last night the news reported that 90% of everything is imported to that counrty.  I wonder what's been taken/confiscated "for the greater good" -sarcasm- in Tripoly?

[alfsauve]

Having some gold or silver coin would be good choice. Gold for the big stuff, silver for day to day type stuff. I've been buying silver (US) coins for a while, just to have. More insurance than investment.

In a real breakdown of society, gold and silver are worthless, until some organization starts to emerge.  Water, food, shelter, clothing, medicine, and the know-how to use them.  That's the only true trade-able fodder. 

[Timothy]

1    Guns, Ammunition, Bow/Crossbow/Arrows
2    Rice – Beans – Wheat
3    Honey/Syrups/white, brown sugar
4    Water Filters/Purifiers - Chlorine, etc.
5    Water Containers
6    Flour, yeast & salt
7    Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Paper Towels
8    Vitamins and medicines, cremes, ointments, First Aid supplies
9    Wine/Liquors/Beer
10    Bow saws, axes and hatchets, Tools,
11    Matches - Candles
12   Tea & Coffee
13    Garden Seeds (Non-Hybrid)
14     How-To books.  Food, foraging, medicine, etc.

I'm with Alf....the first list was a bit over the top, no offense KPR...but, necessities are a shorter list.

This list is manageable and something I buy nearly every week of the year.  Also being able to live in an environment you're not used to is important.  I once lived an entire summer in a tent and found it quite comfy.  It's really amazing what you can do without!