Lessons from a Frozen Metropolis

The wise Prepper is one who is constantly aware and observant of events, both global and local. There are lessons to be learned from watching the plight of others in unfortunate situations. Mother nature is unforgiving and unemotional in her actions. A tornado, a wildfire, a hurricane, or a freeze are excellent events to observe and learn what not to do. We can avoid the chances of personal harm with a few simple steps:

• Watch the weather report and stay home.
• Maintain a properly winterized automobile.
• Keep emergency supplies.
• Avoid main roads and population density.
• Never depend on government agencies for help.

Danger and potential harm is often a matter of statistics. There are some who stand in the middle of a lightning storm and never get struck. Others lose their home in a wildfire which occurs once in one hundred years. Fairness does not exist. No, Hurricane Katrina did not wipe out New Orleans because the city was sinful. Violent storms of all types have always existed. It is not news that cities freeze in winter. It should not be shocking that wildfires burn in the Southwestern states. Hurricanes have always lashed the Gulf Costal region.

The difference, now, is that we are in the way. We build cities below seal level in known historical paths of storms. We develop neighborhoods in the gorgeous High Desert regions of Arizona and New Mexico where we have 10,000 years of known wildfire history. Yes, even southern cities like Atlanta freeze in winter. It is our response, not the weather, that causes problems.

The best shot we have at avoiding dangerous situations is to never be there. The primary lessons from a frozen metropolis, Atlanta, were observations of public behavior when things get uncomfortable. The frozen Atlanta highways quickly clogged and made traveling impossible.

That fact highlights the need for wise choices in bug out vehicles. A 2 ton 4×4 has approximately four hours of fuel in the tank. The traffic jams in Atlanta lasted over 12 hours. This means that bug out vehicle just became  liability. The smart Prepper would have a secondary bug out option like a small motorcycle or bicycles stowed on board.

Traveling off road is not an option. Most modern 4×4 vehicles are not designed for prolonged and rough travel. The drive system is designed to get you out of a slippery spot and back to navigable roads. Your fancy 4×4 is not a tractor. Attempting to travel long miles over rocks, stumps, and deep mud could leave you stranded and in more danger than if you were to stay on the road.

The traffic jams also highlighted the need to recognize the inevitable. Everyone knew the freeze was coming. Waiting until the roads froze over, to attempt an exit, was foolish for tens of thousands. The pending hard freeze was obvious. Bugging out hours before the masses make a delayed exit could be the wisest thing you can do to save your life.

A map with alternative routes, stowed in your vehicle, could save your life. Your ability to recognize potential traffic jams and select less used or uncommon roads is critical to your bug out success. This was never more evident than when my own bug out effort from New Orleans before Hurricane Katrina. Yes, I left town early and that greatly improved my success at avoiding trouble. My second wise choice was to select backroads and even a dirt road or two to get out of the danger zone. My tank was full, I had extra fuel, and a map. It took me twice as long to get to my bug out location as it would have on the highway but I totally avoided the traffic jams.

Our emergency response system is excellent but not designed to handle massive carnage like Hurricane Katrina or the frozen Atlanta freeways. As Americans, it is our duty to do what we can to avoid danger and relieve the pressure on our EMS. Proficiency in fire fighting, wound care, and CPR gives the wise Prepper a tremendous advantage to survive catastrophes.

The wise Prepper can learn countless lessons of survival by observing global and local events. We watch the news and study trends. We develop fundamental skills like CPR and map reading. We store small but smart caches of supplies to help us get through unfortunate events. Hurricane Katrina was the final wind that blew me into becoming a Prepper. I expect every person stuck on that interstate in the freezing weather to now become more aware on why they should prepare too.