Bret couldn't agree more. Fortunately for us we live out of town and have some descent resources. We did survive 9 days without power after the blizzard of 93, trees down, poles, wires, roads blocked. I don't know that it would be as easy as it was then. Many folks were old neighbors and family friends that all sort of pitched in. Many of these folks are gone and don't know many of the younger crowd any more. Most of the newer inhabitants haven't had to endure this or have even tried to get to know their neighbors. My family was somewhat prepared and had enough fuel, food and generators for the basic needs as long as we were conservative. I'm honestly not sure what the next steps would have been if it lasted much longer.
Someone mentioned that it would difficult to survive without help and community. We did enjoy the company of the closer neighbors as we prepared a few group meals and pooled our resources. I had a pickup with a plow and small front end loader on the tractor. We were able to poke a few holes in the snow drifts for some short distance travel between a few neighbors didn't want to burn all the fuel at once. Some of the further neighbors were doing the same eventually we got a path to the main roads. Didn't help until about the 6th or 7th day as there was no power in town to get fuel or supplies. Had a radio and was able get some news on the TV when we ran the generator. Daisy chained information from town from other groups closer.
Generator would run the oil burner and well pump. Very low on generator fuel by the 7th day until I could get to an open gas station. The closest farmer to us was helping others with food and fuel from his bulk tank. Given the circumstance it was actually a very good experience and an eye opener for many.
I have become a fan of a couple TV shows about the off grid folks. There are some really great methods for water and heat. I am working on a spring fed cistern that could supply enough water for a couple homes. Water has been tested and is good. Learned about the hammer pumps and am going to ty to build one this spring. Going to build a coil for an old wood burner so we have some supplement in the event of problems. Have 3 types of heat oil boiler, propane wall heaters only used when we have to, and a wood burner in the basement that will heat most of the house easily. Have 120 acres of the old family farm to get wood from and we try keep a few cord cut stacked and handy. We enjoy game animals as food.
We have 5 families on our private road and have already proved for the most part can work together. We lost our road last August to flooding and everyone pulled together nicely. Road was out for 4 days but we still had power.
We count ourselves as very fortunite.
I haven't made it my mission to prepare for the worst but have enjoyed dreaming and scheming to use our resources more eficiently. Most of the things I have done have used what's laying around in the barn, fence row and junk I've accumulated over the years.
I don't know how yet but I know we have to survive so we'll do what we must.
Our old tractors may not help during a crisis much but sure help preparing for it.
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