Are we
really that safe today? The relatively calm life that we feel is ours by right
could be overturned in a matter of seconds. Nature lets us know once in a while
that we are not really in control of our destiny. The things that we do or do
not do every day could turn into man-made disasters that destroy the world as
we know it. Then there is the all-powerful, unpredictable and sometimes moody
universe which could very easily terminate our species. Here is a list of the
10 most likely SHTF scenarios that could occur with tips on how to best prepare
for them.
1. Asteroids
A dangerous
asteroid impact is likely to cause major problems here on Earth because our
planet has already experienced smaller asteroid impacts. According to NASA[1], the risks of facing an Asteroid
are real enough to warrant further investigation. Scientists are carefully
tracking many of the large asteroids that are in existence. Their paths are
being tracked but there’s no good explanation for what happens when scientists
discover that an asteroid is on a collision course with Earth. If you’re given
advance notice of an asteroid impact, you need to move out if its path
immediately. Unfortunately, you probably won’t receive advance notice in time,
so it’s best to prepare for an impact like you’d prepare for any other natural
disaster.
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2. More New Madrid Quakes
In the
early 1800s, a chain of earthquakes hit the eastern U.S. A new series of
earthquakes is likely to strike again because the New Madrid Seismic Zone still
exists according to CUSEC[2]. If a chain of earthquakes hits
this location again, the physical damage could extend beyond the eastern U.S.
all the way to Tennessee, Missouri, Kentucky, Arkansas, Illinois, and
Mississippi. Financial losses will be felt throughout the country. If you live
east of the Mississippi River, prepare for this event as you would prepare for
any other earthquake. If you live west of the Mississippi River, you need to be
prepared for widespread financial problems.
3. Widespread Deadly Virus
Unfortunately,
this scenario is not just likely to happen. It’s already happening according to
the CDC[3]. Just look at the recent outbreaks
of Ebola virus and Zika virus on US soil. The world was only beginning to
recover from the devastating impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic when all over a sudden
new dangerous diseases began to emerge from nowhere. The next time a deadly
virus outbreak occurs, it may not be able to be contained. In order to prepare
for a widespread deadly virus, you must be prepared to quarantine yourself from
the general public for up to one year.
4. A Solar Flare
A solar
flare in the equivalent of a tsunami or earthquake on the sun. Its impact can
be devastating as evidenced by the solar flare which occurred in 2014. The
risks of such an event recurring have not dissipated significantly enough to
allay the fears of the experts according to the WSF[4].
The next time a solar flare occurs, it could potentially wipe out the
entire earth’s power grid. In order to prepare for surviving a solar flare, you
must have plenty of your own power (generators, batteries, etc.), food, and
water available.
5. Dirty Bombs
Dirty bombs
are built using radioactive materials. Terrorists can easily obtain radioactive
materials---we know this because they’ve done it before. Indeed the USNRC[5] has produced a factsheet that not
only indicates a high likelihood of these bombs falling in the wrong hands but
also the damage that they could do. A small dirty bomb could destroy an area
comparable to what a stick of dynamite could damage. The area that a large
dirty bomb or multiple dirty bombs could destroy is limitless. There is little
you can do to prepare for the effects of a dirty bomb aside from keeping
firearms within arm’s reach to keep potential terrorists away.
6. Comet Collide
We’ve
already discussed the devastation that an asteroid impact could cause. Comets
get dangerously close to the Earth about every 200 years so it’s possible that
we’ll see one collide with the Earth during our lifetimes. Agence France-Presse[6] in Paris recently released a report
warning that the risk of a dangerous Comet has been greatly understated by the
experts. Comets move even faster than
asteroids, so if one hits the Earth, it could destroy the entire planet. Prepare
for a comet collision the same way that you’d prepare for an asteroid impact,
with food, water, power, and firearms in an underground location.
7. Electromagnetic Pulse
An
electromagnetic pulse, or EMP, is the result of the detonation of a nuclear
weapon. Given today’s widespread terrorist threat and enemy nations like North
Korea that are developing their nuclear programs, this is a very real threat. If
we experience an EMP, the power grid will be destroyed according to a report by
the Gatestone Institute[7]. No cell phones, no electrical
system in your vehicle, no radio, no TV, no electricity, no Internet. Consider
storing your emergency electrical devices (small generator, solar battery
charger, AM/FM radio, emergency medical equipment, two-way radio, etc.) in a
Faraday Cage to protect them from an EMP.
8. Full-On Nuclear War
This takes
the EMP threat one step further. This isn’t some lone terrorist with a nuke,
but rather a world superpower coming at us with a full complement of nuclear
weapons. Already the IAEA[8] is reporting a heightened risks of
nuclear proliferation in conflict areas like the Middle East and South East
Asia. If we become victim to an all-out
nuclear assault, the entire planet could be destroyed. Prepare for nuclear war
with a Faraday Cage and enough supplies (water, food, medicine, etc.) to last
you for at least one full year. It’s the only shot at survival you may have.
9. World War III
There is
some evidence suggesting that the United States is at risk from an invasion
from within, which involves fully westernized agents (Russian, Chinese, etc.)
infiltrating our country unnoticed and then launching an attack according to a Listverse Report[9]. This is likely to happen if
foreigners are not fully vetted before entering our country. The results of
this could range from a single attack that our military easily shuts down to an
all-out nuclear assault, the likes of which we’ve never seen. We need to
prepare for the worst case scenario. Make sure you have enough supplies to last
for at least one year, along with firearms, stored in a secure---preferably
underground---locations.
10. Yellowstone Super Volcano
Most people
are not aware of the fact that the world’s biggest super volcano is located
underneath Yellowstone National Park. Prominent scientists have warned that it
will erupt anytime between now and 100,000 years from now. For example the USGS[10] has done a report showing the
heightened risks of super volcanos occurring. A super volcano eruption will likely wipe out
the western half of the United States. In order to prepare for a Yellowstone
super volcano, you must be able to pack up your car and start moving east at
the drop of a hat.
We don’t
mean to frighten you with a discussion of these ten very likely scenarios but a
discussion is necessary so that you can prepare yourself and your family for
the worst case scenario. It’s not hopeless. There are a lot of things you can
do to ensure your survival. Now is the time to take action.
[1] National Aeronautics and Space
Administration
[2] Central United States Earthquakes
Consortium
[3] Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention
[4] World
Science Festival
[5] United
States Nuclear Regulatory Commission
[6] Reporting
for the Guardian News Paper, UK
[7] Peter
Hussey Reporting
[8] International
Atomic Energy Agency
[9] Andrew
Handley Reporting
[10] United
States Geological Survey
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