12 Comments
User's avatar
Dixie Drudge's avatar

One thing we're doing (my family) this year than in the past is water bath canning more than freezing for those veggies it works better with. This will also be a first time that we will try canning meat, something that used to be common in the past.

Generators and some solar might tide you over until the lights come on, but only goes so far. The big question is clean drinking water for most people.

I work in the industry and for years we've been nervous about the state of the grid's infrastructure as maintenance and improvement has long taken a back seat to short term share-holder happiness. Few people realize that an extended multi-month power failure in the US would be the equivalent or worse of the Black Death in Dark Age Europe.

There is a huge shortage of available replacement transformers. You can spend months waiting to replace ONE after a lightning strike, let alone vandalism which often nets several

R P's avatar

Something is brewing for sure.

Mrhounddog's avatar

As a former Emergency Manager, this is nightmare material. Prepare accordingly.

Frank's avatar

What can any of us do? Maybe have portable power stations to run the frig and freezer, recharged by propane generators? Serious question, please.

Mrhounddog's avatar

Sorry, just saw this. Simple and most complete answer: Build community with like-minded individuals and families.

Personally, I bought one of the Predator "Super Quiet" generators at Harbor Freight. The Predator line is very reliable, and so quiet I was shocked. Keep all refrigerators, and freezers closed unless absolutely necessary to retrieve food, then get what you need quickly. You can run a generator 2-3 hours a day to keep a freezer frozen.

Remember to buy fuel stabilizer to put in your tanks when storing for extended periods.

Frank's avatar

Thanks very much for the tips. I hear that a propane generator might be better than a gasoline generator, as propane can store for longer periods of time, and is safer (?) than gasoline. I hear that you want an “inverter generator” to charge up portable power stations.

Mrhounddog's avatar

The choice of fuel may be a big consideration. Do some research on what would be best for you. I chose an inverter generator because I have some sensitive electronics that I may have to run. Make sure you look at the different Predators. They have dual-fuel generators that look very nice.

Frank's avatar

Thanks for the additional tips!

Angelus Irae ☩'s avatar

We need a fully updated resilient grid, nationwide; preferably nuclear. Let abundance be our anthem.

Cheramie III%'s avatar

If the feds are warning people what they are planning

Dixie Drudge's avatar

Very good question. It’s already hanging by a thread

Cheramie III%'s avatar

Yeah I don’t know how and how much longer