American Consequences: By Trish Regan
98% of my small New England town was without power for nearly a week.
Imagine if it were 98% of the country. It’s more likely than you think…
Hurricane Isaias’ storm clouds came rolling in fast last month…
I was immersed in writing my recent American Consequences story on Venezuela and the threat of socialism to the U.S., occasionally glancing at the windows as the sky grew more ominous.
Finally, the loud wind and rain won my attention. Several trees crashed across the road, splitting the neighbor’s fence in half. Then, the lights went off… the TV entertaining my three children powered down… and my computer Wi-Fi was gone.
Usually, I’m better prepared for these things.
In my early days as a network news correspondent, I would “parachute” into many a hurricane. I knew the drill… I’d load up on fuel, water, snacks, cash, candles, a cooler, flashlights, and extra battery-powered chargers for my cellphone and computer. I’d make sure I was in a protected location where our live truck could still send a signal from high enough ground. And I knew to seek shelter during the worst of the storm…
It’s the reason why during Hurricane Sandy, when we lived in lower Manhattan, I insisted my husband and I book a set of hotel rooms for us and the kids uptown – on the high ground of Manhattan’s upper east side. “Just in case,” I told him. (He thought I was overreacting.)
We wound up at that hotel for more than a month. Clearly, my hurricane training comes in handy.
But not this time… I was unprepared for Isaias’ aftermath. I knew the storm was heading our way, but I hadn’t anticipated its full wrath.
A full 98% of our little New England community had no power for days. No one could make calls, gas up their car, get money from the ATM, or even buy food from the store.
Which got me thinking… and researching…
What if it was 98% of the country?
WW3 will be the shortest lived war in human history provided it stays contained to the USA without any foreigners taking advantage of the situation.
This country is WAY overdue for a liberal/democrat/communist enema.
I’m good. I’ve got 5,000 rounds of Blackout. And a thermal imaging scope. Let’s get the party started.
Read Bracken’s trilogy. Shit spins off the rails pretty fucking quick. Numerous harrowing accounts of no electricity. Or food. Not pretty.
Nuclear submarines would be unaffected.
Hardened military would also be fine.
Remember the the nuclear triad of defense? Silos, SAC, Subs
No one would be stupid enough to attack you guys. Your biggest threat, as always, would be social unrest from the heathens.
Good people have credit of character. There are MANY people who I would provide services to with just a handshake or a signature if I did not know them.
Most people are Good. The few who are not give an entire species a bad name.
Also I’m pretty good with a compound bow. 😉
The southwest will be uninhabitable without A/C. We barely made it through the heat and drought this year with electricity. And the drought continues…
The problem with scenarios like this is the writers need to be specific about the perceived enemy. Obviously some foreign military power. China? Russia? Mexico would stand a better chance of attacking the U.S. citizenry. AT least they can walk here. The Military has been shielding electronics and micro electronics since the early 80’s. Our military would be largely unaffected by an EMP. That might pose a problem for the aggressor.
Guess I better stock up on toilet paper again. (Didn’t Bob Woodward just write a book)?
We live in earthquake/fire/spillway collapse/wind country and go without power for a couple of weeks, some areas longer. I choose to live here and I know the consequences of what could and does happen. I don’t whine about it. Get solar and battery backup if you can’t live with a generator to get you through the tough times.
“But not this time… I was unprepared for Isaias’ aftermath. I knew the storm was heading our way, but I hadn’t anticipated its full wrath.”
It’s called being prepared. It’s something we do on a daily basis, we live in uncertain times and places.
food will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no food
Every two or three years, I re-read a book called “Alas, Babylon”, written by Pat Frank (aka Harry Hart), published in 1959. It’s a great read, about a group of people surviving in North Florida after a nuke war between the Soviets and the US. I found the plot to be very plausible, if you know how to use the resources of the area in which you live. I filched the old paperback from my parents’ library and when it finally fell apart, I was just lucky enough to have found a more recent copy at a thrift store.
It’s possible to survive in Florida without air conditioning, if you know what to do and how to take advantage of the prevailing winds. It may not be all that comfortable, but it can be done.
@ Tim
That’s all woody’s book is good for
He’s been writing fiction a long time