What do you all do to be prepared for long term power loss?

[garry1p]

My son living near Asheville NC was fairly well prepared during the recent crisis since they depended on a local gas station/general store for everyday items,
Shopping for groceries was a monthly affair as the closest city over 30 miles one way so they keep well stocked.

They lost power, cell phone tower went out and road closed due to a bridge washing out, they could drive further up the mountain so they drove up trying to get cell phone reception, no luck back home they searched the house for a radio and realized they didn't even have one. Back out to the car to listen to the radio trying to figure out what was happening and how bad it was. They never realized how much you depend on the news.
Needless to say they now have a shortwave and hand crank radio.

Just something to think about other than the news they had plenty to get by for 3 or 4 weeks, had they been able to get out credit cards were no good in their area for several days, cash and carry only.

I have an emergency radio but maybe a battery shortwave receiver might be handy to have around. You never know local radio, TV and call towers could all go out and you will want to know what the heck is going on.

 

[Clayak]

Thank you. World is already going to crap as it is.

Always find it ironic how "real" Christians seem so fearful of Heaven when you have to kill others to stay alive

Each to his own. Same reason men/women fought WW2. They wanted what we had and some thought that wasn't right. If you aren't willing to prepare for hard times and protect your family, then live your perceived values and allow your family to perish. That's just the opinion of this 'supposed' Christian.

 

[Clayak]

If it was an attack sort of thing, we could live off of the pantry and the land for a good bit. Neighbors are few, but like minded. We would have a militia of sorts going within days. We are capable of heating with fire, but rarely would need it down here. Summer would get sticky.

Most of Texas is not tied to a national grid. My understanding is that we are in the exception area.

I'm more worried about my kids and siblings. All further away and all live in cities or 'burbs.

What I struggle with is that I could not do just that.

Some think of Jesus Christ of carrying a sword to kill his enemies and justify that "sword", but I do not.

No different than how Muslims interpret the Koran IMO as far as killing others.

A very long time ago as a grunt working, I stopped to help a old lady shoveling her driveway (I could have gotten in a lot of trouble for doing so).

I stopped to help this older woman because I remembered what my mother had told me, to treat people like my mother would expect me to treat her and my father if I saw them in need.

When I saw that old lady working to shovel her driveway, I couldn't help but think if that was my own mother, so I stopped and helped her and did her driveway.

What I have learned in business is do what it right and let the chips fall where they will, and generally, it will work out.

When I give a bum panhandling on the street $20, I don't care if he buys drugs, it's what my intent is, NOT his (generally I offer to buy them food in person and see where it goes...).

When it gets to the point that I say no to everyone in need, in my own line of thinking as a Christian, I'm ready for Heaven as I know what Heaven is to myself and I'm done with being an arsehole

Perhaps when you lose a son, it gives you a different perspective and being more at ease joining him instead of fighting for your life at all costs so you can breath on this world to give yourself another day

For myself, my own God judges you on your own actions even if you can't how everything plays out 100 years from now...

Well, "my own God" expects me to protect my family. Sounds like you don't have anything to live for. Sorry about that. I have lives that depent on me.

 

[Sigarms]

Well, "my own God" expects me to protect my family. Sounds like you don't have anything to live for. Sorry about that. I have lives that depent on me.

Sounds like your God has given you a lack of reading comprehension

 

[ultrarunner]

My son living near Asheville NC was fairly well prepared during the recent crisis since they depended on a local gas station/general store for everyday items,
Shopping for groceries was a monthly affair as the closest city over 30 miles one way so they keep well stocked.

They lost power, cell phone tower went out and road closed due to a bridge washing out, they could drive further up the mountain so they drove up trying to get cell phone reception, no luck back home they searched the house for a radio and realized they didn't even have one. Back out to the car to listen to the radio trying to figure out what was happening and how bad it was. They never realized how much you depend on the news.
Needless to say they now have a shortwave and hand crank radio.

Just something to think about other than the news they had plenty to get by for 3 or 4 weeks, had they been able to get out credit cards were no good in their area for several days, cash and carry only.

I have an emergency radio but maybe a battery shortwave receiver might be handy to have around. You never know local radio, TV and call towers could all go out and you will want to know what the heck is going on.

I was heading home in the work truck when the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake struck SF.

I thought I had run over something as the truck bounced violently and the my radio went to search mode… there was nothing on the AM dial… I look around and see telephone poles shaking.

After what seemed like eternity a distant AM station came in and said SF had a massive quake reporting freeways collapsed, fires, etc… during World Series game at SF.

Until that I wondered if we had been attacked.

Some started acting crazy speeding through intersections and even looting.

Neighbor helped neighbor and some areas no power more that a week including me.

My home was old and electricity was just for lights, refrigeration and laundry.

I still had gas hot water, central heat, cooking, etc… those dependent on electricity didn’t have it so lucky.

What surprised me the most are the people who totally lost it combined with those looting.

I had a generator which I ran twice a day for refrigeration and the 34 gallon truck gas tank was nearly full along with a pantry with lots of canned goods…

Some had very little and among our little cul-de-sac it was neighbor helping neighbor…

 

[1Mech]

This crowd would probably really enjoy Forstchen's "One Second After", which is mostly about the breakdown of society following catastrophic damage to the power grid. I can vouch for the audiobook version of this on Audible, very well-done.

Amazon.com : one second after

I listened to the book, I enjoyed it. Borrowed from the library.

 

[garry1p]

Forecast snow and maybe ice Fri, Sat so I went out for gas 14 gal + what is in the car and truck if needed.
Snow is no problem but ice is a whole different story.
I figure I need 22 amps at max load normally 8 to 10 amps, will have to shut down all but Internet and lights to run microwave.
HF 3500i generator used conservative 14 gal should last 3 or 4 days.

 

[WinterDeere]

I listened to the book, I enjoyed it. Borrowed from the library.

If I recall, there were two sequels, both also good. I think the second book was "one year after", but I can't remember the name of the third, right now. I'm not sure if he planned them as a true "trilogy", or if the idea to write the sequels came later.

 

[ning]

If I recall, there were two sequels, both also good. I think the second book was "one year after", but I can't remember the name of the third, right now. I'm not sure if he planned them as a true "trilogy", or if the idea to write the sequels came later.

I read a book if I recall back in the 90s called "The Day After"
conceptually it was interesting but it wasn't particularly well-written.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I should be good for a month or so.

11KW diesel generator fueled by a 1000 gal home heating oil tank.
2 small gas generators with 2 - 5 gal gas cans, which I refresh every few months.
Siphon pump to extract gas from the vehicles if necessary.
Coal stove to back up the oil burner.
Ductless heat pump mini splits for backup heat & AC, which can be powered by the Diesel generator.
A months supply of canned & dry food which we rotate regularly.
Satellite enabled smartphones that do not require local cell towers for emergency communication.
Satellite based internet service.

Looking to add a solar battery system and a small EV that can be charged via the generators or solar should gas be in short supply for an extended period.

Longest outage so far was 7 days and we had no problems at all.