Tag: emergency planning

The EMP Threat Is Real: Why Prepared Families Are Safer Families

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Emergency Preparedness, Survival & Self-RelianceLeave a comment

If there’s one thing I’ve learned after helping over 9,000 people get prepared, it’s this: you will never regret being ready, but you will always regret being caught off guard. And when it comes to the threat of electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weapons, that saying has never been more true.

I’m a happy prepper—not because I’m excited about disasters (far from it), but because I’ve seen firsthand how empowered and joyful a family becomes once they take control of their safety. Preparedness isn’t fear. Preparedness is FREEDOM. And today, I want to talk about a topic that many folks still believe lives only in sci-fi movies… but in reality, it’s as current as the phone in your pocket.

EMP weapons are no longer something governments merely research. They’re no longer hypothetical “maybe one day” scenarios. EMPs—whether naturally occurring from solar flares or man-made through specialized devices—are very real, very present, and very capable of turning modern society upside down in seconds.

But here’s the good news (and I always bring good news): with preparation, your family can weather an EMP event with confidence, comfort, and capability. Let’s break it all down so you walk away empowered—not overwhelmed.

What Exactly Is an EMP? (And Why It Matters)

An electromagnetic pulse (EMP) is a sudden burst of electromagnetic energy that can disrupt or disable electronics and electrical systems. You don’t need to understand the physics behind it to grasp the critical point: an EMP can knock out the power grid and anything dependent on it.

That means:

  • No lights
  • No refrigeration
  • No cell phones or computers
  • No ATMs
  • No functioning gas pumps
  • No running water in many areas
  • No modern vehicles that rely heavily on electronics

In other words, an EMP could set us back technologically by decades—overnight.

There are two major sources to be aware of:

1. Natural EMPs

These stem from massive solar storms or coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These have happened many times in Earth’s history, including the famous Carrington Event of 1859. Back then, telegraph systems caught fire—imagine that level of energy hitting our digital society today.

2. Man-Made EMPs

These include specialized devices designed to generate powerful electromagnetic bursts. You don’t need details about how they’re made or deployed (and I won’t provide any), but it’s enough to know: the technology exists, is well-understood, and multiple nations acknowledge its development.

EMP weapons have moved from the “maybe someday” category into the “they exist today” category.

And that’s why YOU are smart for wanting to prepare your family.

Why You Need to Prepare Your Family NOW

EMP preparedness isn’t about panic. It’s about practicality. It’s about loving your family enough to put a plan in place while life is calm and peaceful—so that if chaos ever arrives, you’re ready to rise above it.

Here are five reasons preparation is essential:

1. The Grid Is Vulnerable

Our electrical grid is a patchwork of aging components. Engineers, government reports, and infrastructure experts regularly point out its vulnerabilities. Even without malicious threats, it’s fragile enough that storms knock out power for thousands each year.

Add in an EMP? The impact could be nationwide.

2. Society Relies Almost Entirely on Electronics

Think of how much everyday life depends on digital systems. Banking, communication, transportation, heating, water purification—all electrical, automated, and interconnected.

EMP preparedness is really just basic societal failure preparedness.

3. Emergency Services Will Be Overwhelmed

When 9,000 people look to me for help, I can handle that. When 90 million people look to emergency responders? Impossible. If you’re not prepared, you’re in a race with millions of others who suddenly need the same resources.

4. Prepared Families Thrive While Others Panic

I’ve seen this over and over: families that have even a modest preparedness plan experience calm, confidence, and capability during crisis. Instead of scrambling, they adapt. Instead of fear, they move with purpose.

5. It Doesn’t Take Much to Be Far Ahead

The beauty of EMP preparation is that small actions create big advantages. You don’t need a bunker, a thousand acres, or a doomsday fortress. You simply need a plan and a few smart tools.

How to Prepare Your Family for an EMP (Without Stressing Out)

Let’s get to the fun part. Yes—FUN. Because prepping isn’t doom and gloom. It’s a lifestyle of empowerment. It’s about building a cushion of safety and independence.

Here are the foundational steps I’ve taught for years, the same steps that have helped thousands of families get ready without overwhelm.

1. Build a Reliable Food & Water Plan

In a grid-down scenario, food supply chains and water systems can fail quickly.

Water:
Store at least one gallon per person per day for two weeks. Add filtration and purification tools, because stored water eventually runs out.

Food:
Build a pantry of shelf-stable foods you already love. Canned meats, beans, rice, oats, pasta, freeze-dried meals—simple, comforting items your family already eats.

A prepared pantry means peace of mind.

2. Protect Critical Electronics in a Simple Faraday Container

You don’t need anything fancy. Metal containers with tight-fitting lids, specialized EMP bags, or a galvanized steel trash can with rubber insulation can all act as Faraday cages.

Items worth protecting include:

  • Small radios
  • Flashlights
  • Rechargeable batteries
  • Portable solar chargers
  • Medical devices that can be stored safely
  • Hard-drive backups of important family documents

Remember: you’re not protecting luxury—you’re protecting capability.

3. Get Comfortable Going Off-Grid

You don’t have to live off-grid—you just have to be capable of doing so temporarily.

Skills to practice include:

  • Cooking without electricity
  • Heating safely without the grid
  • Using alternative lighting
  • Managing sanitation

Make these practice days fun. Turn them into family adventures. I promise—kids love “grid-free nights.”

4. Strengthen Family Communication & Plans

In an EMP event, communication networks may fail. Your family needs a simple plan:

  • Where to meet
  • Who checks on whom
  • What to do if separated
  • What gear each person is responsible for

Prepared families don’t panic—they execute.

5. Build a “Grid-Down” Emergency Kit

A basic kit includes:

  • First-aid supplies
  • Flashlights
  • Batteries
  • Portable solar chargers
  • A crank radio
  • Water filters
  • Emergency blankets
  • Extra medications

This isn’t about fear—it’s about being comfortable when others aren’t.

Preparedness Is Love in Action

I’ve helped thousands of people build resilient, capable families. Every time I meet a newly prepared household, their eyes light up with confidence.

You’re not preparing because disaster is inevitable. You’re preparing because your family is worth protecting.

EMP threats aren’t futuristic—they’re part of our modern reality. But with the right mindset, the right tools, and the right plan, you can transform that reality into peace of mind.

And I’ll tell you this from experience:
Prepared families are happier families.

So take the next step. Build your plan. Protect your loved ones. And join the growing community of joyful preppers who face any challenge with a smile and a full toolkit.

You’ve got this—and I’ve got your back.

Emergency Preparedness Planning 101: What to Do Before Everything Falls Apart

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Emergency Preparedness, Survival & Self-RelianceLeave a comment

If you’re reading this, congratulations—you’re at least aware enough to realize the world is a mess and getting messier by the day. Most people shuffle through their lives staring at their phones, trusting the government, corporations, or some miraculous stroke of luck to save them when disaster strikes. Spoiler alert: no one is coming to save you. Emergency preparedness isn’t a hobby; it’s the bare minimum level of responsibility any halfway conscious adult should take. And yet here we are, in a society where people panic when the WiFi goes down for twenty minutes.

Welcome to Emergency Preparedness Planning 101—the class everyone should have taken, but most didn’t because they assumed everything would always be fine. Those of us who actually prepare know better. We don’t do it because it’s “fun” or because we want to feel special. We do it because we’ve seen enough to know that chaos is inevitable. And when chaos comes, you’re either ready… or you’re a liability.

Let’s go through what you should already know but probably don’t.

1. The First Rule: Accept That Disasters Happen

Most people cling to the fantasy that emergencies are rare. They’re not. At any moment, you could be dealing with:

  • Natural disasters
  • Power grid failures
  • Economic collapse
  • Social unrest
  • Pandemics
  • Infrastructure breakdown
  • Supply chain interruptions

And let’s not pretend any of these are far-fetched. Recent years have made it painfully clear how quickly society falls apart when even small disruptions hit. Yet people still act shocked when they walk into a store and see empty shelves. The truth is that modern society is held together with duct tape and wishful thinking. Preparing isn’t pessimism—it’s realism.

2. Water: The One Thing You Can’t Afford to Overlook

It’s astounding how many people stockpile gadgets, weapons, or flashlights but forget water—the literal foundation of survival. The rule is simple: one gallon per person per day, and that’s scratching the surface. Add pets, hygiene, cooking, and unforeseen emergencies, and that number climbs quickly.

If you think a few plastic bottles shoved in a closet is enough, you’re fooling yourself. Water sources get contaminated, municipal systems fail, and bottled water disappears instantly during any crisis. You need:

  • A minimum two-week supply stored
  • A long-term water storage plan
  • Filtration and purification systems
  • Redundant backup methods

Because if you don’t plan now, you’ll be fighting your neighbor at the nearest drainage ditch when the taps run dry.

3. Food Storage: Not the Instagram Version

People love the idea of food prepping until they realize it involves work and discipline. Emergency food storage is not about bragging rights or looking cool in a bunker selfie. It’s about having the calories and nutrients you need to keep going when grocery stores are stripped bare—which happens faster than most people believe.

Your food storage should include:

  • Shelf-stable staples (rice, beans, oats, pasta)
  • Freeze-dried meals
  • Canned protein
  • Long-term storage containers with oxygen absorbers
  • A rotation schedule

And before you even think it: no, your freezer doesn’t count. When the power goes out and everything inside turns into a thawed, useless mess, don’t say you weren’t warned.

4. Power: Because Sitting in the Dark Isn’t a Plan

If a grid failure happened right now, most people would be paralyzed. You need alternative power sources—plural. Relying on a single generator is a rookie mistake. Fuel runs out. Systems fail. Weather gets unpredictable.

A real prepper builds redundancy:

  • Solar power systems
  • Portable solar panels
  • Battery banks
  • Hand-crank chargers
  • Generators (as a secondary system)

This isn’t paranoia. It’s accepting the reality that modern life depends on electricity, and electricity is far more fragile than anyone wants to admit.

5. First Aid: Because the World Doesn’t Hand Out Second Chances

You don’t need to be a doctor, but you need more than an outdated band-aid box from 2004. When emergencies strike, hospitals overload instantly, and you may be on your own.

Your first aid preparedness should include:

  • A professional-grade trauma kit
  • Knowledge of wound care
  • Skills in CPR and basic first aid
  • Over-the-counter medications
  • Prescription backups (if possible)

Because when someone gets hurt—and someone will get hurt—waiting for help isn’t an option.

6. Security: The Topic Everyone Tiptoes Around

Let’s be honest: during real emergencies, people can be almost as dangerous as the disaster itself. Society runs on rules and consequences—take those away, and human behavior becomes incredibly unpredictable.

You need a plan to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. That includes:

  • Physical security
  • Situational awareness
  • Reinforced entry points
  • Lighting
  • Alarms
  • Nonviolent self-defense tools
  • Communication plans

The point isn’t to live in fear; it’s to not be blindsided when people act desperate, irrational, or opportunistic.

7. Communication: Because Isolation Is a Death Sentence

You need to be able to reach others—and they need to be able to reach you—when the world goes quiet. Don’t rely on cell towers and internet providers; they’re usually the first to collapse during crises.

A real emergency communication setup should include:

  • Battery-powered radios
  • NOAA weather radios
  • Two-way radios
  • Backup power sources
  • Written communication plans for your group or family

Being disconnected during an emergency is not only dangerous—it’s completely avoidable with minimal planning.

8. A Mindset That Doesn’t Crumble

Gear is useless without the right mindset. Emergency preparedness is about being mentally ready to deal with unpredictability. It’s about accepting that you’re responsible for you, no matter how much society has trained people to outsource responsibility.

Mindset means:

  • Staying calm under pressure
  • Being adaptable
  • Making decisions when others freeze
  • Thinking ahead
  • Maintaining discipline even when everything feels pointless

Preparing isn’t pessimistic—it’s acknowledging reality. Anyone who thinks the world is stable hasn’t been paying attention.

Final Thoughts

Emergency preparedness planning isn’t complicated. What makes it difficult is the denial people cling to. If you’re reading this, you’re already ahead of most. But being aware is only step one. Doing something about it is what matters. Stocking up, planning, learning, and preparing aren’t overreactions. They’re survival.

If the world goes sideways—and eventually it will—your only regret will be not preparing sooner.

Vermont’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Vermont, Vermont's Worst RoadsLeave a comment

Vermont’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster — And How to Survive Them Behind the Wheel

By: A Well-Traveled Survivalist

Let me be clear—when disaster strikes, roads become more than routes. They become lifelines, battlegrounds, and bottlenecks. I’ve driven through hurricanes in Florida, wildfire evacuations in California, and flash floods in Texas. But Vermont? Vermont’s got a whole different beast when it comes to bad roads during bad times.

Between its winding mountain passes, frost-heaved asphalt, and dense tree cover, the Green Mountain State turns into a trap when the lights go out or the weather gets mean. Whether it’s a Nor’easter burying Route 100 under three feet of snow or a flash flood taking out bridges in Windham County, if you’re not prepared to drive like your life depends on it—you’re already a victim.

Let me walk you through the worst roads to avoid (or conquer) and then arm you with 15 crucial survival driving skills. And for those who really find themselves neck-deep in trouble, I’ve got three DIY hacks to keep you moving even when the tank runs dry.

Vermont’s Worst Roads During a Disaster

Here’s a short list of Vermont roads that’ll break your spirit (or your axle) in a disaster:

  1. Route 100 (from Killington to Waterbury) – Winding, narrow, and one rockslide away from being impassable. Gorgeous in fall, deathtrap in winter.
  2. Route 9 (Bennington to Brattleboro) – Prone to flooding, steep inclines, and black ice. This one gets shut down regularly in Nor’easters.
  3. Interstate 89 (Montpelier to Burlington) – The main artery in and out of Central Vermont. In a mass exodus, this becomes a clogged mess.
  4. Route 107 (Stockbridge area) – Mountain passes and not enough guardrails. One good rainstorm and you’re on mud.
  5. Route 17 (App Gap) – Twists like a snake and climbs fast. A driver’s nightmare in snow or fog.
  6. Kelly Stand Road (Searsburg) – Dirt and isolation. You’ll lose cell service and possibly your undercarriage.
  7. Route 108 (Smugglers’ Notch) – Seasonally closed, but people still try to push through. Don’t be one of them.
  8. Lincoln Gap Road – Just avoid it. It’s basically a hiking trail someone paved.
  9. Route 15 (Hardwick to Morristown) – Flooding danger, especially during late spring thaw.
  10. Danby Mountain Road – Off-grid and often washed out. The sort of place AAA won’t find you.

15 Survival Driving Skills for Disaster Conditions

You can have the best 4×4 on the market, but without the skills to match, you’re still a target. Here’s what every survivalist driver needs to master:

  1. Off-Road Navigation – Learn to read terrain and use topographic maps. GPS is unreliable in power outages or remote terrain.
  2. Throttle Feathering – Control your gas pedal in slippery conditions. Over-acceleration leads to spinning out or getting stuck.
  3. Tire Patching and Plugging – Know how to plug a tire on the fly. Keep a kit in your glove box, and practice before it matters.
  4. Field Tire Inflation – A hand pump or portable compressor can save your ride. Drop PSI on snow; boost it back for gravel.
  5. Braking in Skid Conditions – Don’t slam the brakes. Learn threshold braking and cadence braking for older vehicles without ABS.
  6. River and Flood Crossing Judgment – Never guess depth. A 12-inch current can float most vehicles. Know when to turn back.
  7. Spotting Hazards Ahead – Train your eyes to read the road 15 seconds ahead. It buys you time to react or reroute.
  8. Driving in Reverse at Speed – Sounds crazy? Try navigating a narrow escape route in reverse without stalling or crashing.
  9. Using Mirrors Like a Pro – Your mirrors are your sixth sense. Check every 10 seconds. Blind spots kill in disasters.
  10. Utilizing Low Gears – Downshift for better control in snow, mud, or downhill slopes. Don’t burn your brakes.
  11. Driving in Convoy Formation – Stick to 3-second gaps, signal intentions, and never bunch up. Panic leads to pileups.
  12. Navigating Without Lights – Cover tail lights with tape if you’re bugging out at night. Stay under the radar.
  13. Knowing When to Ditch – If your car’s stuck and burning gas, abandon it and hike. Your life is worth more than your ride.
  14. Distraction-Free Driving – Silence the phone. Every second counts. Your focus is your strongest survival tool.
  15. Fuel Conservation Techniques – Coast when you can. Idle as little as possible. Draft behind large vehicles (safely) to reduce drag.

3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You’re Out of Gas

When the needle’s on E and there’s no gas station for 50 miles, ingenuity keeps you moving. Here are three tricks I’ve used or witnessed in the field:

  1. Siphon and Filter
    If you’re in a pinch and spot an abandoned vehicle, you can siphon gas with a tube and gravity. Just make sure to filter it through a shirt, coffee filter, or even moss to catch debris before pouring it into your tank.
  2. Alcohol-Based Emergency Burn
    In a gasoline shortfall, denatured alcohol or isopropyl (91% or higher) can be used sparingly in older engines. This is for carbureted engines only—fuel-injected systems may not tolerate it well. It’s risky, but it can get you a few extra miles.
  3. Pressurized Bottle Fuel Pump
    Repurpose a soda bottle with a tire valve stem and a bit of hose. Pressurize the bottle with a bike pump and gravity-feed fuel into your engine. This works best with lawn equipment fuel tanks but can keep an old ATV alive in a pinch.

Final Thoughts From the Road

Survival is about preparation, skill, and knowing when to go and when to stay put. Vermont’s roads don’t forgive ignorance or indecision. In a disaster, they get slick, jammed, or vanish altogether. I’ve seen Subarus stranded and lifted trucks washed out. It’s not about what you drive—it’s how you drive it.

Know your routes. Scout secondary options. Keep maps printed and waterproofed. Fuel up before a storm, not after. And for the love of all that’s holy, don’t trust your GPS when the sky’s falling—it doesn’t know that the bridge on Route 9 washed out last night.

Disasters favor the prepared and punish the reckless. Be the first, not the second.

Colorado’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Colorado, Colorado Survivalists, Colorado's Worst RoadsLeave a comment

Colorado’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster — and How to Survive Them

By someone who’s lived more out of a bug-out bag than most folks live in their own homes…

I’ve driven everything from the salt flats of Bolivia to the frozen mud tracks in Siberia. But there’s something uniquely challenging about Colorado’s roads—especially when the sky turns black, the cell towers go down, and panic is in the air. Beautiful as this state is, it’s got some of the worst roads to navigate in a crisis. Whether you’re dealing with wildfire, blizzard, flood, or mass evacuation, knowing which roads to avoid—and how to drive like your life depends on it—can make all the difference.

Let’s start with Colorado’s danger zones.

Top Colorado Roads to Avoid During a Disaster

  1. I-70 Through the Rockies (especially near Vail Pass and Eisenhower Tunnel)
    When the weather shifts, this artery becomes an icy death trap. Avalanches, blinding snow, or even mass pileups can shut it down within minutes. It’s steep, curvy, and often jammed.
  2. US-550 (The Million Dollar Highway)
    This stretch from Ouray to Silverton offers breathtaking views and terrifying cliff-edge driving. Zero guardrails. One mistake in snow, rain, or panic traffic, and you’re tumbling hundreds of feet.
  3. CO-93 Between Boulder and Golden
    Wind-prone and narrow, this road gets overwhelmed during wildfires or evacuations. The winds here can blow cars sideways.
  4. I-25 Between Colorado Springs and Denver
    Flat, yes—but completely paralyzed during emergencies. One disabled car and you’re gridlocked for hours. It’s also prime territory for sudden hailstorms and tornado threats.
  5. Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park
    When open, it’s the highest paved road in the U.S. But during a disaster, altitude sickness, unpredictable weather, and exposure make it a gamble not worth taking.
  6. CO-14 Through Poudre Canyon
    Flash floods love this area. Roads erode quickly, and landslides are common. Once blocked, help is miles away.
  7. Highway 36 to Estes Park
    Heavily trafficked by tourists, with limited escape routes. Wildfire or road collapse here turns the whole area into a trap.
  8. Wolf Creek Pass on US-160
    Fog, black ice, and steep grades make this one of the most lethal mountain passes. Tractor-trailers tip here regularly, even on good days.
  9. US-24 Near Leadville
    High elevation means thinner air, unpredictable storms, and increased vehicle stress. Don’t count on your engine loving this one under pressure.
  10. County Roads Near Durango and Telluride
    Scenic but narrow, many are unpaved with sheer drops and no shoulders. GPS often gets it wrong, too.

15 Survival Driving Skills That Could Save Your Life

When disaster hits and you’re behind the wheel, raw experience matters. Here are 15 survival driving skills that have kept me breathing:

  1. Off-Road Recovery
    Know how to rock your vehicle out of mud or snow without digging yourself deeper. Lower tire pressure, dig out clearance, and use floor mats for traction.
  2. Engine Braking on Steep Descents
    Don’t ride your brakes. Use low gear to control speed on declines, especially with heavy loads or towing.
  3. Driving Without GPS
    Memorize the terrain. Print maps. In a disaster, cell service and navigation apps will likely fail.
  4. Navigating Smoke or Fog
    Use low beams, avoid high beams which reflect back, and crack windows to listen for vehicles or danger.
  5. River and Flood Navigation
    Never cross a flooded road you can’t see the bottom of—but if you must, unbuckle, roll windows down, and go slow in low gear to avoid water entering your exhaust.
  6. Driving in Whiteout Conditions
    Stay within tire tracks if visible. Keep eyes on road edges. Slow down. No sudden moves.
  7. Pushing a Disabled Vehicle Alone
    Learn how to use gravity, terrain, or leverage tools like a Hi-Lift jack to move your car when solo.
  8. Handling Panic Traffic
    Avoid main arteries. Know side streets and utility roads. Timing is everything—leave early or don’t leave at all.
  9. Night Driving Without Headlights
    Practice it. Keep a red-light flashlight to preserve night vision. It’s sometimes needed in stealth scenarios.
  10. Hotwiring Older Vehicles (pre-2000s)
    Not for criminal use—but when SHTF, and your car dies, knowing how to jumpstart an old truck can save lives.
  11. Manual Navigation Using Topography
    Read the land. Ridges, valleys, river systems—all help you reorient when your compass is shot or you’re lost.
  12. Fuel Scavenging Etiquette
    Always keep a siphon kit. Know which vehicles have anti-siphon valves and how to work around them.
  13. Reading Vehicle Temp and Warning Signs
    Know when to stop. An overheating engine or failing brakes in the mountains = death sentence.
  14. Driving with One Tire Flat or Busted
    Yes, it’s ugly. But you can limp 2–5 miles if you have to. Cut speed, balance load.
  15. DIY Traction Mods
    Carry sand, kitty litter, or traction boards. Also, you can chain up with rope or even zip ties in a pinch (short-term only).

3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You’re Out of Gas

Out of fuel in the Colorado high country? Here’s what I’ve done when my tank hit E in the worst places imaginable:

  1. Alcohol-Based Fire Starter Fuel
    If you’ve got high-proof alcohol or even some antiseptic (over 70% isopropyl), you can mix it with fuel residue in the tank and get just enough volatility to sputter down a hill or to safety. Only use in emergencies. It’s hard on the engine—but better than freezing to death.
  2. Gravity Glide from High Elevation
    Lost fuel at altitude? Put your rig in neutral or low gear and use gravity to coast downhill for miles. You’d be amazed how far a heavy vehicle will roll if you plan your escape route wisely. Don’t forget brakes still need vacuum power—use it wisely.
  3. Scavenge Gas from Lawn Equipment and ATVs
    Cabins, shacks, and garages often have old fuel cans for chainsaws or snowmobiles. It’s dirty fuel—but a coffee filter and a funnel can get you enough clean stuff to make it to town.

Final Thoughts from a Road-Worn Survivor

Driving during a disaster is not just about getting from Point A to B—it’s about keeping calm under pressure, improvising when the odds are against you, and knowing when to ditch the vehicle altogether. Trust your instincts. Carry extra of everything. And never underestimate Colorado’s terrain—she’s got a way of testing your resolve when you least expect it.

I’ve seen wildfires outrun semis, hail the size of fists break windshields, and snow traps that sealed people into their trucks for 48 hours. Respect the land, prep like your life depends on it—because out here, it does.

Surviving the Inferno: Life After a Super Volcano

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn VolcanosLeave a comment

Let me be clear: if you’re waiting on FEMA, the government, or your local grocery store to save you when a super volcano blows, you’re already dead. You’ll be one of the clueless masses choking on ash, begging for canned beans, and wondering why Wi-Fi isn’t working. This isn’t a Hollywood movie. This is the real damn deal. A super volcano, like the one ticking under Yellowstone, won’t just mess up your weekend. It’ll wipe out global agriculture, blackout the sky, crash economies, and toss billions into survival mode—most of whom don’t have a single clue how to stay alive.

If you want to survive, listen up. Here’s the brutal truth and the survival skills you’ll need when the Inferno hits.

🔥 What Happens When a Super Volcano Erupts?

You think lava is the biggest threat? Think again. The real killers are ashfall, starvation, poisoned water, and the bitter, freezing cold that comes when sunlight can’t pierce the ash cloud for months—or even years.

Ash will collapse roofs. Kill engines. Clog your lungs. Every major crop will fail. Transportation will shut down. Grid goes down. Welcome to the new Dark Ages. Hope you enjoyed your last frappuccino.

Now let’s talk about how you stay alive.

🔪 15 Survival Skills You Better Know

1. Fire Starting – In Any Damn Condition

You need fire. For warmth. For cooking. For boiling water. If you can’t start a fire in wind, rain, or snow, enjoy hypothermia.

2. Water Purification

Ash and debris will pollute every water source. Learn how to boil, filter, and treat water with bleach or purification tablets. Or die of dysentery like it’s 1849.

3. Food Preservation

Know how to can, dehydrate, ferment, and smoke meat. If you don’t have a year’s worth of preserved food, you’ll be raiding dumpsters in three weeks.

4. Hunting & Trapping

Cows won’t fall from the sky. Learn how to hunt, clean, and cook wild game. Snares, traps, and bows aren’t hobbies—they’re lifelines.

5. Foraging

Can you tell the difference between wild carrots and poison hemlock? No? Then you better learn fast. Edible plants are out there—so are deadly ones.

6. Self-Defense

People will kill for food. Period. If you can’t protect yourself, your family, and your supplies, you’re just a walking loot box.

7. Basic First Aid

Hospitals will be overwhelmed or gone. You need to treat burns, infections, wounds, and broken bones with what you’ve got. Pain doesn’t care if you’re squeamish.

8. Navigation Without GPS

You’ll need to move without Google Maps. Learn how to use a compass, read a map, and follow natural signs. Satellites don’t care if you’re lost.

9. Ash Filtration & Air Safety

Ash will suffocate you. You need respirators, makeshift filters, and sealed spaces. Learn how to rig a clean-air zone in your home.

10. Building Temporary Shelter

If your roof collapses or you’re on the move, you better know how to construct a shelter out of anything—tarps, trees, even junk.

11. Cooking Without Power

Grid’s gone. No microwave. No gas. Learn how to cook over a fire, with solar ovens, or improvised stoves made from metal cans.

12. Bartering & Trade

Money will be toilet paper. Learn how to trade goods, skills, and information. Ammunition, antibiotics, clean water—that’s your new currency.

13. Situational Awareness

Don’t walk into danger with your head in the ash. Stay alert, watch others, and listen for threats. Sheep get eaten. Wolves survive.

14. Waste Disposal

Disease will spread fast if you don’t manage human waste and trash. Build latrines. Dig trenches. Sanitation isn’t optional—it’s survival.

15. Mental Fortitude

If you can’t keep your head straight, you won’t last a week. Panic gets you killed. Weakness gets you robbed. Harden up or shut up.

🛠️ 3 DIY Survival Hacks You Won’t Learn From TikTok

⚙️ 1. DIY Ash Respirator

Ash in your lungs = death. Take a bandana or cloth, soak it lightly with water or a baking soda solution, and strap it over your nose and mouth. It won’t stop microscopic particles, but it’ll give you a fighting chance when commercial masks are gone.

⚙️ 2. Rocket Stove from Tin Cans

When the gas is out and wood is scarce, make a rocket stove from two tin cans. It focuses the flame, uses minimal fuel, and gets hot fast. Look it up. Practice now. Don’t wing it during a blizzard.

⚙️ 3. Trash Bag Shelter

Black contractor bags aren’t just for garbage—they’re body heat lifesavers. Cut one open for a tarp. Stuff it with leaves for insulation. Wear one as an emergency poncho. Light, cheap, and lifesaving.

🧊 Cold Is Coming – And It Won’t Stop

After the eruption, the global temperature drops. Crops fail. Frostbite becomes common. If you don’t have layers, wool, mylar blankets, and a way to heat your shelter, you’re done. Stockpile fuel—wood, propane, alcohol stoves, anything. Learn how to insulate your home with blankets, bubble wrap, and even dirt. Cold doesn’t care if you’re tired.

📦 What Should You Have Stocked Yesterday?

Let me make this easy. Here’s what your dumbass should already have:

  • At least six months of food. A year is better.
  • Water filters, purification tabs, bleach.
  • Medical supplies: trauma kits, antibiotics, antiseptics.
  • Respirators or masks, plus duct tape and plastic sheeting.
  • Fuel and fire sources: lighters, flint, alcohol, propane.
  • Defense tools: firearms, blades, training.
  • Seeds for long-term sustainability.
  • Manuals and books—don’t rely on dead electronics.

🧠 Final Word: This Isn’t a Drill

I’m not here to comfort you. I’m not here to lie. I’m here to tell you that when the Inferno comes, you’re either prepared, or you’re a corpse waiting for the ash to bury you.

Don’t waste time arguing with people who think the government has a plan. Don’t wait until the supermarket shelves are empty. Train. Stock. Build. Harden.

You want to live?

Then act like it.

Surviving the Hoosier State: Indiana’s Guide to Natural Disaster Prep

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Indiana, Indiana Survival PreppersLeave a comment

Living in Indiana, you’re no stranger to the unpredictable wrath of Mother Nature. Tornadoes, flooding, severe storms, and extreme temperature swings – Indiana residents experience it all. As a prepper in the Hoosier State, you know how crucial it is to be ready for whatever disaster might come your way. With the proper planning and preparation, you can ensure the safety of yourself and your loved ones. Here’s how to get your Indiana prepper game on point, along with essential survival tips tailored to the natural disasters that plague our state.

Why Preparing in Indiana is Critical

Indiana is situated in the heart of the Midwest, which makes it a hotspot for severe weather events. The state is no stranger to tornado outbreaks, especially during the spring and summer months. The central location also puts us at risk for flooding, especially along the Wabash and White Rivers. On top of that, extreme weather can come in the form of snowstorms, ice storms, and freezing temperatures in the winter. And don’t forget the potential for heatwaves in the summer. While Indiana is a great place to live, these weather patterns present challenges that require you to be ready for anything. Whether you’re a seasoned prepper or just starting, these survival tips will help you stay ahead of the game.

Essential Survival Prep for Indiana’s Worst Disasters

As a prepper, there are several key steps you can take to ensure you are ready for Indiana’s natural disasters. From emergency kits to home fortifications, these steps can make all the difference in surviving and thriving during a crisis.

1. Understand the Risks in Indiana

Before you start prepping, you need to have a solid understanding of the natural disasters that are most likely to impact your area. Indiana is known for:

  • Tornadoes: The state experiences tornadoes, especially from April to June, and tornadoes can hit with little warning.
  • Flooding: Heavy rainfall in the spring and fall can lead to flash floods, and areas near rivers are especially vulnerable.
  • Severe Storms: Thunderstorms with hail, high winds, and occasional lightning strikes are common throughout the year.
  • Winter Storms: The state faces brutal winters with snowstorms, ice storms, and dangerously low temperatures.
  • Heatwaves: Hot summer days can result in severe heat and drought conditions.

2. Build a Comprehensive Emergency Kit

An emergency kit is essential for any prepper. In Indiana, the volatile weather patterns mean you might find yourself dealing with power outages, isolation, or even needing to evacuate your home. Make sure your emergency kit includes:

  • Water (at least one gallon per person per day for at least three days)
  • Non-perishable food (enough to last at least three days)
  • First aid kit
  • Flashlight with extra batteries
  • Radio (preferably battery-powered or hand-cranked) to stay updated on weather conditions
  • Extra blankets and warm clothing for winter storms
  • Multi-tool or Swiss army knife
  • Personal hygiene items (soap, toothbrush, feminine products)
  • Prescriptions and medical supplies
  • A map of your area (in case GPS fails)

3. Know Your Shelter Locations

In case of a tornado or severe storm, knowing where to shelter is paramount. Make sure your home has a designated safe space such as a basement, storm cellar, or interior room on the lowest floor, preferably without windows. In more rural areas of Indiana, having an underground storm shelter or access to one could save your life.

4. Create a Communication Plan

When disasters strike, cell towers and power grids may fail. That’s why you need a communication plan. Create a list of emergency contacts and share it with family members. Set up meeting points in case you’re separated. Keep a battery-powered or hand-cranked radio in your emergency kit so you can still get updates when the power goes out.

5. Fortify Your Home

As a prepper in Indiana, you know the importance of protecting your home from severe weather. Here are a few things you can do to fortify your house:

  • Install storm windows and reinforce doors to prevent them from being blown in by high winds.
  • Use hurricane straps or anchor bolts to secure your roof to the walls, helping prevent roof damage from tornadoes.
  • Elevate electrical appliances above potential flood levels if you live in a flood-prone area.

6. Stay Weather Aware

Tornadoes and severe storms can hit with little warning, so staying on top of weather alerts is crucial. Use apps and services like NOAA Weather Radio and emergency weather apps to receive real-time alerts. Install weather radar apps on your phone and watch local news stations for updates. The more aware you are, the better prepared you’ll be to act quickly.

7. Have a Bug-Out Bag Ready

You never know when you might need to evacuate quickly due to flooding, fire, or other dangers. Keep a bug-out bag packed with essentials like:

  • A change of clothes
  • Copies of important documents
  • A portable charger for your phone
  • A map of your area with evacuation routes
  • Cash in small bills
  • A small toolkit or knife

8. Stay Prepared for Winter Storms

Indiana winters can be harsh, with ice storms, snowstorms, and subzero temperatures. Preparing for winter involves:

  • Keeping extra blankets, warm clothes, and sleeping bags on hand
  • Stocking up on non-perishable food and water
  • Keeping your car winter-ready (fluids topped off, extra blankets, and snow chains)
  • Ensuring your home is insulated properly to prevent pipes from freezing

9. Prepare for Flooding

Living near rivers or in flood-prone areas means you must be ready for flash floods. Some useful tips:

  • Know if you’re in a flood zone and have flood insurance if necessary
  • Elevate appliances and electrical systems above potential flood levels
  • Keep sandbags or other flood barriers on hand
  • Have an evacuation plan if you live near a river or in a low-lying area

10. Maintain Situational Awareness

It’s easy to get complacent when disaster alerts seem far off, but staying vigilant can save lives. Always be mindful of your surroundings, especially during severe weather seasons. Keep an eye on changing weather patterns and listen for signs of a storm, tornado, or flooding. When you can sense that a natural disaster is likely, take immediate action to protect yourself and your loved ones.

10 Survival Prepper Tips for Indiana’s Natural Disasters

  1. Tornado-Specific Prep: Reinforce windows with plywood and keep your storm shelter well-stocked and accessible.
  2. Flood-Specific Prep: Keep waterproof containers for documents and food, and avoid storing valuables in basements.
  3. Winter-Specific Prep: Stock up on fuel, hand warmers, and a secondary heat source in case of power loss.
  4. Heatwave-Specific Prep: Keep a supply of sunscreen, hats, and electrolyte drinks for hydration.
  5. General Survival Tip: Always have a fire-starting kit and a reliable knife in your emergency pack.
  6. Bug-Out Plan: Have multiple routes out of your town in case a road becomes impassable due to flooding or debris.
  7. Water Collection: Invest in rainwater collection systems and portable water filters for emergencies.
  8. Community Prep: Team up with neighbors to create a mutual aid network. Disasters are easier to survive together.
  9. Car Prep: Always have a full tank of gas and emergency supplies in your car, especially during severe weather months.
  10. Self-Defense: Keep non-lethal self-defense tools like pepper spray, a baton, or a stun gun in your emergency kit.

By preparing yourself and your home, you’ll ensure that when disaster strikes in Indiana, you’ll be ready to face it head-on. The Hoosier State may have its challenges, but with the right knowledge, planning, and gear, you’ll be able to navigate the toughest of times. Remember, being a prepper isn’t just about surviving—it’s about thriving through adversity. Stay safe, stay prepared, and stay strong, Indiana!

CLICK HERE TO LEARN HOW TO SURVIVE A FAMINE