Survivability?

[Doriangray6]

This is not about politics but about factors that would effect your odds of survival in your current location if things were to go completely sideways.
IMO Wyoming, though it won't escape the resulting chaos unscathed, will be one of the better states to be located in.
It is the least populated state in the lower 48 but per capita has one of the highest percentages of firearm ownership in the entire US.
A large portion of the population have military experience and there are also a substantial number of ham radio operators in the state.
Wyoming produces more food and energy than its' population uses which could relatively easily be repurposed for the state's own use and so far nature has delivered more than enough water each year to provide for the needs of the state.
Three easily controlled major instate highways, I-80, I-90 and I-25, come through the state and a major rail line also crosses the state.
Due to it's harsh climate, boom and bust economy, and other factors it's always been a difficult place to live anyway and the people than have learned how to deal with the conditions and make a living here are pretty independent, accustomed to hard times, and are generally willing to set aside differences and help each other. Then they go back to arguing.
Plus, except for portions of Colorado, the populations of the neighboring states are similar which would make dealing with them easier.
How about where you live?

 

[Model29-26.5]

How do you define “completely sideways”?
You mean to the point where no food is being produced by farmers?
Food and fresh water is number one priority.
Medicine?
Honestly I wouldn’t worry about such a thing until it happens…. Only then will we really know how bad things are and what our options are.
Follow the crowd.
Ear to the ground.
TN deer population is decent.
Fresh meat.. fresh water? Head for mountain springs?
No idea

 

[LVSteve]

The geologists tell us that there is a potential 6.0+ earthquake sitting under the mountains between Vegas and Lake Mead. Lake Mead is the primary source of water to Clark County and its roughly two million inhabitants. Are the water pipes from the lake to Vegas hardened to take the ground movement of a 6.0? Is it even possible to do so? I don't know, but I do know that the loss of the water supply here for more than a few days means you basically have to depopulate the county, pronto.

A major earthquake in California could conceivably cut the major roads and railroads that come to Vegas and disrupt our food supply. Depending on the damage, once again the population may need to be reduced until compatible with the supplies that can come by other routes.

In either of the above cases, the hospitality industry would be badly affected. Some hotels might become temporary accommodation for those whose homes were destroyed in our local 6.0, or for CA refugees in the event of "The Big One" in SoCal. Neither would likely be a profitable time for the industry, and I am not entirely convinced that chunks of it would survive another lengthy shutdown like we had with COVID. That raises the spectre of a "Detroit in the desert".

Some points to ponder, methinks.

 

[Rock185]

Wyoming sounds attractive, but... There have been many minor eruptions, but I have read that Yellowstone is overdue for a major eruption. If a major eruption should occur tomorrow or 10,000 years from now, most or all of Wyoming would be under considerable ash. I've seen estimates between 40" and "meters". A major eruption would affect the whole World. I realize this is of no concern to most. But I live in Arizona, which would definitely be affected, and I have given this some thought. In comparison, Mt. St. Helens was a tiny little event...

 

[6string]

We got off fairly easy this time last year when Hurricane Helene hit.
But, many others very close by were wiped out or killed.
The real numbers are far worse than what we’ve officially been told.
There are no good places when “things go sideways”, except possibly “someplace else”.

 

[The Last Standing Knight]

It depends on what you mean by "sideways".

A nautral disaster again depends on what that disaster is and where.

Something like civil unrest...again...depnds on the area where a full out governmental breakdown there is NO place that will be unaffected.

The best you can do is try to prepare as best you can but keep in mind you cannot prepare for every contengency or situation.

 

[ladder13]

Not going to worry.

 

[rockquarry]

Hardly worth considering. Like the "what if" faction of the concealed carrier hobbyists, it seems wasteful of both mind and time to become eaten up with such thoughts and ideas.

 

[SAFireman]

I have enough Single Malt and 22lr to sit and watch the festivities play out.

 

[greenwellg]

If you are talking about the end of society as we know it with total infrastructure disruption, I'm not sure I want to survive it.
Needs would be clean water and a few essential weapons, saving the last round for yourself. If you live the 60 plus days it takes to die of starvation, that last round would be appealing, at least to me.
Surviving would be just prolonging the inevitable end.

 

[gwpercle]

My Family came to Louisiana in 1728 ...
A lot of things have gone sideways from 1728 to 2025 .
We is still here and doing just fine ... I'm Staying Right Here !
Gary

 

[rockquarry]

My Family came to Louisiana in 1728 ...
A lot of things have gone sideways from 1728 to 2025 .
We is still here and doing just fine ... I'm Staying Right Here !
Gary

Perhaps the best way to look at things but much too practical a viewpoint for some.

 

[llowry61]

I have thought a lot about it, and I am not sure it is realistic to survive in a real SHTF scenario which I define as extended loss of utilities (water, electricity, and gas). We have food but water is the issue for us. So, we would basically bug in protect ourselves from personal attacks and let the chips fall where they may. I have watched a lot of prepper videos, and some folks will make it for a good while, but at some point, surviving without the modern-day infrastructure may be a bridge too far.

 

[Denverd0n]

No offense meant to anyone, but I REALLY do not understand the mindset that says, "Oh, I would rather just not survive."

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

AAHHH..........The old doomsday post reseurrects its ugly head...............Whatcha gonna do when they come for you.....Bad boys.....Bad boys....................

 

[Toolguy]

Now that the secret about Wyoming is out, everyone will move there and ruin it for the natives...

 

[65-2x2]

There are some situations that I would not care to survive. Another American civil war could easily be one of them; there would be nothing "civil" about it, nor would be any winners. If government, industry and commerce shut down there would be three hundred million desperate people who were struggling for day-to-day survival and silly things like laws, morals and ethics would be out the window. The survivors will be the most ruthless and heartless. You want to see how it would go down, read about Leningrad during WWII.

Natural disasters either get you or they don't and there is not much you can do about them. If a volcano blows up in your back yard, there is no amount of prepping that would save you. I live in hurricane territory my prep for them is to keep a good roof on the house and keep enough cash on hand to drive away from a storm that I fear. If I lose my "stuff" well, it is just stuff, and they make more of it every day.

The worst possible disasters that we could face will be both avoidable and man-made. The best prep you can do for those is vote smartly.

 

[Frailer]

No offense meant to anyone, but I REALLY do not understand the mindset that says, "Oh, I would rather just not survive."

That’s OK. We are all entitled to our opinions.

I, for one, understand it completely.

 

[Smoke]

To quote Jim Morrison "Five to one baby, one in five. No one here gets out alive".

 

[chief38]

First of all it depends on just "how sideways" things got. Secondly, it also depends on your location and how rural or out of the urban areas you are. Obviously a family already living on a working farm or ranch in the middle of no where would have the edge. Last but certainly bot least would be how self sufficient, strong, able and adept you are at survival skills and common sense. The more self sufficient you are now will translate to your chances of survival going forward in a SHTF situation.

 

[pharmer]

I’m 72 so that’s my “limiting factor.” Ocean on 3 sides. I know how to catch salt water fish. Plenty of water, game, beef cattle, waterfowl. If power is off more than 2weeks it will be “Lord of the Flies” until it becomes “Night of the Living Dead.” Go ahead and start worrying without me, I’ll try to catch up later. Joe

 

[Outpost75]

No offense meant to anyone, but I REALLY do not understand the mindset that says, "Oh, I would rather just not survive."

"Buzzards gotta eat. Same as worms..."

 

[Rudi]

Just keep up with your preps and pray.

 

[steelslaver]

Lot depends on which side ways and just where and how it occurs and how long it or its effects last. Nuke war, major size asteroid strike, Yellowstone caldera blows, major earth quake nearby, civil war, military coup, a plague.

First of all most of us over 70 are in serious do do.. Those of you need meds long term are toast, If there is an event that causes a long period of winter like conditions most of us are goners. same outcome if something like a deadly TSE or similar virus gets to an airport. If you live in a major city and something serious occurs your chances of even getting out of the metropolitan area are slim. Northern areas like those surrounding Montana have a serious problem with long term survival of much population because of the winters. Local fuel supplies in many areas take infrastructure and cooperation in order to muses and maintain. It takes at least 4 cords of wood to heat even a small house, and nearby supplys would be exhausted quickly and then its transportation becomes a problem. Same with coal in some area. IF the population of an area does not come togeather and work as a group most families and small groups will dwindle fast.

 

[KSDrifter]

Well, I think I might have enough weapons to supply the fam, but other than that… I’ll have to just wish em well. Stupid insurance company will not let me have over 90 days max worth of drugs. So depending where I am in the cycle, I could have days, or up to 3 months.

That and I have a really old wood house that’ll cremate me the second someone comes around the corner with a match. Yup, I’m toast.

 

[Wyo]

Wyoming sounds attractive, but... There have been many minor eruptions, but I have read that Yellowstone is overdue for a major eruption. If a major eruption should occur tomorrow or 10,000 years from now, most or all of Wyoming would be under considerable ash. I've seen estimates between 40" and "meters". A major eruption would affect the whole World. I realize this is of no concern to most. But I live in Arizona, which would definitely be affected, and I have given this some thought. In comparison, Mt. St. Helens was a tiny little event...

If Yellowstone goes off, none of us in Wyoming will need to worry about what to do next. We won't be here. Neither will large chunks of Montana, the Dakotas, etc. Short of that, my daughter's place is self-contained. It's very rural, has a large solar power setup, water, cattle, big garden, machine shop, and just about anything else one might need for quite a while. I'll just go there.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

‘Don't Talk to Me 'bout Life's Problems Or
How You Wish That Things Could Be
'cause I Don't Have no Trouble Livin'
It's Jus' Dyin' That Bothers Me.’ Mose Allison
I’m good to go (stay) for an undetermined amount of time.
More concerned about my Family for the long term.

 

[dockmurgw]

Anarchy will kick in seconds after the smart phones go down, survival of the fittest will be the order of the day.

 

[Doriangray6]

Now that the secret about Wyoming is out, everyone will move there and ruin it for the natives...

As with many western states there has been an influx of people moving here but as I said Wyoming can be a difficult place to live for a variety of reasons and a recent study determined that about 8 out of 10 people that move to Wyoming leave after the first winter and many folks don't even make it that long.
Of the remainder slightly more than half leave after a few years because of lack of employment, lack of social life, the long distances between things, winters, and most of all the constant winds.
A number of people I've spoken to that had decided to leave also said that the lack of trees and the corresponding vast open spaces was part of the reason they decided to leave.
Personally the openness of the Great Plains has always been something I've enjoyed but I understand that it's not for everybody.

 

[gjgalligan]

TN deer population is decent.
Fresh meat.. fresh water? Head for mountain springs?

If it is much of a disaster that deer herd won't last long.
And head for wild lands? Do you think the locals there are gonna tolerate a bunch of outsiders invading their territory?
Get real.