Japan...another example of why we need to be prepared

[Gouranga]

SO reading this story:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42079799/ns/world_news-disaster_in_japan/

Here we have one of the most technologically advanced nations on this planet with a good deal of its people plunged into darkness. No power, water, heat, etc. Cut off from the rest of the nation.

Now we got a small taste of this during Katrina and every now and then in NC when we get an ice storm but they are looking at rolling blackouts at least till the end of April. The day after the event, it is too late to get prepared.

So that makes me wonder, given the experts on this site who have spent a LOT of time thinking about this type of thing...what is the best strategy you would suggest in preparing for a serious event that knocks out power, communication, and a good chunk of infrastructure on a regional scale? I am sure we all got the guns covered but what else?

 

[Bubba613]

Japan, which is in the "Ring of Fire" suffered a once in 300 year tsunami. That really isn't a realistic model for most of this country. In Katrina plenty of people had plenty of warning and got out. That is usually the case.
It is hard to imagine, in most places, a disaster scenario that would pass the laugh test that anyone would really need to be concerned about.

 

[rajb123]

We have 5 nuclear reactors located on a very active earthquake fault in California; two more reactors are located on a large fault in NYS.

If anyone thinks the Japan situation can't happen here, they are dumb.

Unfortuinately, you can only prepare to live without water, electric, gas and food for a few months at best.

 

[Shinbone]

My wife and I were talking about the same thing last night. Are there good websites to check out for a list of things to stock up on without throwing money away?

 

[Kleanbore]

This broad subject is far beyond the scope of THR.

 

[jim10017]

Preparations

Check out Survivalblog.com and Thesurvivalblog.com for good info.