From man to animal in 72 hours

"For Pete's sake, plan to be self sufficient for at least 7 days. 30 would be even better. Remember, if we lose power, your house will be not only your house, but also your store, your refuge, your everything. Do yourself and your family a huge favor. Prep."   

Bob and Mary had just returned to their downtown condo, after eating at one of the ethnic restaurants on "Eat Street". Bob and Mary had recently retired from their downtown jobs, and decided that in retirement, they would "live the dream" in downtown Minneapolis. They found a nice (but expensive) loft on the 15th floor of one of the newer buildings, and recently moved in. 

Both "city rats" since high school, Bob worked for the city of Minneapolis as a planner. Mary worked for one of the smaller art museums as a curator. Retirement downtown was a dream come true. Sure the crime was out of control, but you just needed to be careful. They loved to shop "Euro" style, so all the food in their pantry was freshly bought. Since they were both strict ecologists, no cans nor water bottles allowed in their house, if you please. 

About a half hour after getting home, their power went out. "Mary, did you not pay the power bill last month?" Bob joked. Mary did not see the humor in losing power. The last time the power went out, it took forever to get the clocks reset. All of a sudden, there was a knock at their door. It was one of their neighbors. "Our power is out - is yours?" Bob then thought maybe the building had lost power. He went over to look out the window and the entire city was dark. Bob did no know it then, but this was the beginning of the end. Of his end. Of many people's end. The country had just suffered and EMP event.

I was listening to a PhD on the radio this past week, who was an expert on prepping. He had an amazing statistic. Only 1% of the people in this country, do any prepping. The other folks are like Bob and Mary. Little or no preparedness at all. The PhD recently published a book, talking about how it only takes 72 hours (three days), for society to start breaking down once power is lost and all supplies unavailable. Bob and Mary, living on the 15th floor are really stuck. No elevator, no toilet, no running water, no HVAC, no phone, no electricity, no nothing. With no bottled water in their condo, it did not take long for Bob and Mary to begin to thirst. 

In the military we learned that "failure to plan is planning to fail". Is if possible that a rogue country like Russia, China, Iran or North Korea could cause the United States to lose power? Absolutely. Thinking an EMP is out of the question, is fool hearty. Who should be the most concerned? The folks living vertically in the city. Life will get very bad, very soon for them.

"From man to animal in 72 hours". My opinion - don't be that guy (or gal). For Pete's sake, plan to be self sufficient for at least 7 days. 30 would be even better. Remember, if we lose power, your house will be not only your house, but also your store, your refuge, your everything. Do yourself and your family a huge favor. Prep.