Ask most preppers what SHTF means to them and the answers will generally be the same: EMP strike, Cyber Attack, Economic Collapse, Pandemic, World War 3. While those are all events worth noting and preparing for it should not be forgotten that SHTF does not have to happen on a global scale for individuals to face hardship in isolated areas. Right now where I live the snow is falling and the temps are hovering near freezing but I am basking in the warmth of the heat which is being pumped out of my furnace. This winter has been cold but not even close to unbearable for me since I’ve enjoyed the creature comforts most of us take for granted. Elsewhere in the nation there are people who have already had to face their own version of SHTF in the last few weeks.
In New Jersey ice storms knocked out power for almost a week to many during what many consider to be the harshest winter in quite some time. How would your home fare in temps just above zero for 5 to 7 days? As I recently wrote about, those in the south faced absolute gridlock after a winter storm brought thousands of commuters to a stop in and around many southern metropolitan areas. People were forced to hunker down in their cars for hours or attempt to make the hike home while wearing less than desirable clothing.
I could continue on but I hope everyone gets the point. There doesn’t have to be a mushroom cloud on the horizon for SHTF to take place. What’s more, these smaller isolated SHTF events could be just as deadly as larger events because most will not be prepared. What good is a fully stocked bugout shelter if you are caught 20 miles from home in a winter storm while wearing gym clothes with 1/8 of a tank of gasoline? SHTF indeed.
So what can be done? Well for one thing you have to take every precaution and be ready, which doesn’t necessarily mean having 5 years worth of food in the basement. A good bag in the car, keeping the car full of gas, watching the weather forecast and checking the supplies at home…common sense stuff! Yet if it’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, common sense is quite uncommon. Simply being prepared according to FEMA standards will enable one to be leagues ahead of most of the population. Don’t let a personal SHTF catch you off guard because it can truly happen at any time.
On a lighter note…if you are one of those people who rush to get the big three before a storm (bread, milk, eggs) this video is for you.
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