How Would You and Your Family Survive for 10 Days Without Utilities?

[Ron Resnick]

I am no doomsday prepper (although I am sympathetic to the concept). But it's not a crazy question to try to figure out how you and your family would get by if electricity, gas and water suddenly stopped working for 10 days.

The infrastructure in Los Angeles is so fragile that if it merely rains sometimes the cable TV craps out.

Think about:

-- water for drinking
-- water for bathing
-- human food / pet food
-- lighting
-- methods of heating
-- battery powered radio receiver
-- power for RF communications

How have you prepared, or how would you prepare, to be on your own for 10 days without utilities or services?

 

[exupgh12]

In my home, I am fully prepared for emergencies, as similar situations can easily become a reality where I live. I maintain a stock of essential supplies, including 20 liters of mineral water, enough cold food such as energy bars and canned goods to last at least a week, and a comprehensive first aid kit. For cooking, I rely on a grill or a portable gas cooker, similar to those used on hiking trips. Additionally, I have a battery-powered lighting system, a radio, toilet paper, and, for security, a weapon with ammunition. My home is ready for any situation that might arise.

 

[Alrainbow]

I am not a doomsday person
But if I think I have plenty
multiple gas tanks for my griddle
propane powered 22kw generator enough to run my home including HVAC systems
cars to go somewhere else if need be
A garage freezer and fridge
Even the dogs have a few 40 pound bags of dry food lol.
lastly and perhaps most importantly guns and ammunition.
If the power goes down how long until others may try things.
on this dooms day thought
when the hurricane hit North Carolina I was in a resort in the town between them chimney rock.
we drove up there Thursday morning into it lol. car was full of gas and we stoked to get sandwiches in the town. Then went to our condo
that night the storm hit
No power now internet
Trees down around our condo
food well
4 apples , jar of peanut butter
and some bread.
2 days to get out to get food.
so much for being prepared lol.

 

[GSOphile]

I am no doomsday prepper (although I am sympathetic to the concept). But it's not a crazy question to try to figure out how you and your family would get by if electricity, gas and water suddenly stopped working for 10 days.

The infrastructure in Los Angeles is so fragile that if it merely rains sometimes the cable TV craps out.

Think about:

-- water for drinking
-- water for bathing
-- human food / pet food
-- lighting
-- methods of heating
-- battery powered radio receiver
-- power for RF communications

How have you prepared, or how would you prepare, to be on your own for 10 days without utilities or services?

My daughter and son-in-law pretty much lived this when Helene hit Asheville. They are a resourceful couple and got through it pretty well, but I also know they have some takeaways.

 

[Lagonda]

I have food and coffee enough for about a month, i always buy bulk, i hate shopping. I have a gas driven generator that can run fridges, but not quite enough power for my stereo Wood pellet and firewood enough to last me about 2 years. 100 l drinking water and about 1000 l rain water i could use for toilet and shower. Regretfully i have no firearms, i miss that about the US , maybe i should get i hunting license and buy i nice rifle.

 

[davetheoilguy]

Our whole home generator would kick on and if the natural gas shuts off, it would automatically switch to propane bullet tanks that would run it full speed for 60 days, which is unlikely to be required because the solar panels take up 1/2 the load. And if it breaks the back up generator would kick in. Or I might hook up one of the big diesel generators.

Or I could just a line from a gas well if I really had to. They’re positive pressure and the issue is making them stop running,

Multiple water wells, run by windmills.

And a pond, with bass.

And cows. And sheep. And chicken. The occasional buffalo that is confused.

Did I mention we live in the middle of nowhere on a ranch in a damn near nuclear proof house?

Yes, we will shoot Californians if you try to invade.