Thankfully, SHTF scenarios don’t happen daily, but you must be prepared for if/when they do. One huge consideration during a SHTF scenario is whether to stay or leave your home. You may only have minutes or seconds to decide, and your decision will be significant.
6 Scenarios Where Bugging Out are Preferable
Some circumstances almost always call for evacuation. You’ll need to gather the family and evacuate as soon as possible. When you bug out, however, you might not get a chance to return home anytime soon. These six situations demonstrate when bugging out is likely the best option.
Hurricanes
Natural disasters are one of the most dangerous scenarios you can encounter and they don’t get much worse than hurricanes. Specifically, a Category 5 hurricane will damage your home and can easily kill you. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration defines a Category 5 hurricane with winds of 157 mph or higher!
In a Category 5 hurricane, houses will likely collapse and power lines will fall. Your electricity could be out for weeks while officials fix the damage. Hurricanes down to Category 1 can significantly damage your home and cause injuries as well, so don’t become complacent based on a number.
In either case, you’ll want to get a large distance away from the path of the storm; even temporarily moving to another state might not suffice. Choose your route wisely.
Drought and Wildfire
In the past few decades, droughts have worsened. Summers have become hotter and dryer, leaving many lands susceptible to extreme dryness. According to the National Integrated Drought Information System, nearly a third of the U.S. experiences moderate drought or worse. Widespread droughts lead to conditions ripe for wildfires.
When wildfires spread in your area, there’s not much you can do about it. They can spread fast and make the air toxic to breathe. Bugging out, therefore, makes the most sense. Even if your home is made from concrete, it will only take a few hours before fire damages it, and there’s plenty else that can burn. Plus, the high levels of smoke will make the air unbreathable, even with masks.
Civil Unrest
Disasters often aren’t human-created, but civil unrest is. The streets of your neighborhood may start to see riots, looting and other unlawful activities. Sadly, you can’t rely on the police and law enforcement for protection as they may be overwhelmed or preoccupied elsewhere.
Bugging out during civil unrest may require you to leave the state — or, at worst, you’ll need to grab your passport and leave the country. You could stay and defend your home, but bugging out may be the more logical option for a number of reasons, least of which include the legal hassles of defending yourself and your property.
Earthquakes
Your disaster plan for staying put could be impeccable, with details and answers for every problem. However, they’re not worth as much if your house if falling down around you due to an earthquake. Even if your home survives the initial seismic event, it’s entirely possible that the underlying structure has been damaged in ways that you cannot see, and, believe it or not, aftershocks can be as bad the initial quake! Realize, however, that getting out may be all but impossible due to damaged buildings, buckled roadways, collapsed bridges, and that’s to say nothing of the hordes of the unprepared.
Targeting
The previous situations are SHTF scenarios that could apply widely to a neighborhood, city or country. However, you could encounter a situation where the primary target is you! That is, someone has your name and address and has made physical threats against your life. You may want to take them on yourself, but evacuation may make more sense for your family if the situation is too dangerous.
Nuclear and Chemical Plant Disasters
Nearly 40 years have passed since the Chornobyl disaster and the city still feels the effects of radiation. If there’s a nuclear or chemical plant in the area, it’s vulnerable to spills and accidents. Scenarios like those in East Palestine, Ohio, require bugging out because these instances can compromise the water supply, air and so much more.
[Editor’s note: I would have a hard time want to leave my home, especially since it means leaving most of my preparations behind, chickens, as well as a multitude of other problems. But if there’s one scenario that has me very concerned these days, it’s a chemical spill similar to the one in East Palestine. If there ever was a situation where evacuation is in order regardless of what authorities say, it’s that one.]
How to Prepare to Bug Out
Bugging out is a necessary decision for numerous dangerous instances. So, how can you prepare ahead of time? You might not have long, but here’s five easy ways to get ahead of the game.
Livable Vehicle
The first preparations in bugging out should center around your vehicle. Escaping will require a reliable machine you can use for transportation and even living. It could be days, weeks or months before you return to your home, if at all. So you’ll need to make a home away from home.
Van life has become popular for people who want to live in their vehicle and travel, though it’s also potentially helpful for SHTF scenarios. If you have a van, you can alter it to create a living space. You’ll need to calculate the expenses for plumbing, storage and sleeping — for example, installing electrical systems can cost between $1,500 and $4,000. Even if that isn’t an option, you should consider which vehicle (or vehicles) you’ll take. Keep them well maintained, fueled, and your bug out bag ready to grab.
Escape Routes
Once you have a reliable vehicle, you must map out your evacuation plan. Find a destination and stick with it unless more circumstances pop up. When you have a good spot located, determine multiple ways to get there, one or more of which don’t require major roadways as highways and interstates could face traffic jams if a natural disaster comes…back roads and longer, more circuitous, routes could be the best plan here.
Food and Water
Another critical part of your evacuation is the food and water supply. A good rule of thumb is one gallon of water per person daily. You might not have a cooking mechanism in your vehicle, so pack non-perishable items like canned meat, nuts, dried fruit and beans. Be sure to rotate these supplies once a year to ensure they’re still viable; if you keep food and water in your vehicles, then you’ll want to rotate them more often.
Trusted Ammunition
Bugging out may bring you safety, but it’s not guaranteed. You may need lethal force to protect your family and yourself on the road as looters and rioters could try to break into your vehicle and steal the items you prepped for!
Bring your most-trusted firearms in the vehicle with you, but you should know firearm laws from state to state. You won’t want to run into issues with law enforcement in SHTF scenarios. Most states have online resources for education on the laws. For example, Nevada has no law forbidding loaded handguns in vehicles, but you won’t be able to do that in California or other typically leftist states.
First-Aid Kit
Safety is the top priority, but you can’t always protect yourself and others. Injuries can happen, so you must have a first-aid kit ready with essential items. You can get one from the store or make a kit at home. First-aid kits typically include bandages, antibiotic wipes, ointments, medications and gauze pads. You never know when they’ll come in handy, whether for paper cuts or a bullet wound.
[Editor’s Note: You’re better off just making your own first aid kits. Buy the bandages and other supplies separately, then divvy the supplies up between your bug out bags, kits for the car, and at home. It’ll save you money.]
5 Scenarios When Staying Put is Preferable
Evacuation may be the right call in some circumstances, but there are some where staying put is safer. These five SHTF scenarios are typically better if you stay put.
Elderly or Disabled Family
Bugging out requires quick evacuation and movement, but it may be easier to stay home if you have elderly or disabled family members living with you. They need extra care and attention and might not respond well to your bug-out plans. As such, your best bet may be to stay home with them where they have familiarity, medications and other essentials they need for sheltering in place. Of course, there are some scenarios where staying put just isn’t possible, so have a plan for everyone to evacuate should the need arise.
Pandemic
COVID-19 proved a pandemic could bring the world to a screeching halt, despite the advancements in technology and medicine. When a pandemic strikes, sheltering in place is almost always the safest option, especially in the beginning when the most chaos is happening. Prepping beforehand with supplies helps so you’re not at the mercy of grocery stores that will quickly run out of food, and so that you’re not exposed to the sick, desperate, or insane.
Power Grid Failure
The electrical grid is typically reliable but is vulnerable to outside forces. In early 2022, for example, Russia attempted to take down numerous U.S. electric and natural gas sites. And then there’s the domestic attacks on substations. An electric grid attack could happen in your area without warning, leaving you without power for hours, days, or weeks. Surprisingly, the best option may still be to stay home and rely on the preparations you already have.
Although it’s true that power is crucial to modern survival, with the right preparations you may still be better off staying put rather than leaving since it may not be safe to travel. There’s no guarantee you’ll get to where you want to go, and if you already have most of what you need to survive at home, then doing so is likely the best option.
Civil Unrest…But Not Here?
As mentioned previously, civil unrest can be a significant problem, even causing you to evacuate. However, you may find that staying home is still safer if the riots and crime aren’t happening close to you. Remember that there is strength in numbers, especially with your neighbors and friends in the area. Realize, however, that inviting more people mean utilizing more of your precious supplies, so choose wisely those who you bring under your roof.
War
There hasn’t been a civil war in over 150 years or a world war in nearly 80, but you must be prepared in case one breaks out. Typically, civil war would cause you to evacuate, but staying put could be to your advantage, too. In this situation, you know the lay of the land better than any outsider. You know where the secret hideouts are and the ins and outs of the terrain. If escape is unattainable, you’ll have the upper hand with your home base.
How Can You Prepare to Stay Put?
Staying put has similarities to bugging out — like needing food, water and ammunition — but how can you protect yourself when everything appears to be falling apart all around you? These five strategies help survivalists who need to survive at home.
Disaster Plan
The first thing you’ll need is a disaster plan, which means having protocols in place. A good strategy is to assign different roles to members of your household based on their age and capabilities. For instance, maybe very young children should only gather their favorite toy, a blanket, and a juice box; teenagers may be expected to haul bins of food and clothes to a more secure location; maybe mom grabs a glass of wine while dad loads the guns…you’ll figure it out.
In any case, a disaster plan typically starts with bringing your family indoors and getting to work securing what’s yours. Consider extra protection by boarding up your windows if you fear a damaging storm. Move crucial supplies from places that might get flooded. Gather firewood if it’s winter. Whatever it is that needs done, now’s the time to do it.
Community Collaboration
SHTF scenarios typically bring out the survivalist and individualist inside you, but you don’t have to go about it alone. Prepare for these situations by building a network of fellow preppers in your neighborhood or family. When everything goes down, you’ll have multiple families ready to do whatever is necessary. In ancient civilizations, villagers survived by protecting each other; you’ll need to do the same.
[Editor’s note: Building relationships like these takes time and trust. You simply must start now if you have any expectation that your neighbors will be of use (and you to them) when times get tough.]
Communication Devices
Some SHTF scenarios may see the cell towers go down, limiting your communication. Use your cell phone and other communication devices to your advantage if they work. When it’s time to stay put, you can use your phone to contact family members on the outside and maintain communication to ensure they’re safe. Remember that text messages are more likely to go through than calls, so make use of that feature early and often.
Heat Sources
If the power goes out, your HVAC often follows suit. But there’s more to it than that, as our various heat sources are necessary for cooking, boiling water, and staying warm. Winter can be brutal, so you’ll need to get creative if the power goes out. If the electric grid goes down, use alternative heat sources like wood stoves and kerosene heaters. Have the right clothing, boots, gloves, and so on. Stockpile blankets, sleeping bags, and the like.
[Editor’s note: Just don’t do anything dangerous, like running a generator indoors (even partially enclosed is bad) or starting a fire for warmth inside where it can easily catch things on fire and even cause breathing problems. Think through this problem now and consider what you’ll do to keep from freezing should hard times come.]
Strong Shelter; Stronger Presence
Remember that you can’t stop a Category 5 hurricane or looters from approaching your property, but you can bolster your odds by creating a solid shelter. The first step is to determine what threats may face your home. If it’s a hurricane, then get window shutters and storm doors. If it’s a tornado, then consider a tornado shelter or, at least, where you’ll hunker down in the basement and determine if you can make the area even safer.
High-impact windows are less likely to shatter and harm you in either case. Typically, meteorologists warn a few days before hurricanes occur, so take this time to work on your landscaping outside. Cut down weak limbs that could fall onto your house and significantly damage it.
For showing a stronger presence, set up a home security system. Cameras allow you to keep a watchful eye at all times and may give the bad guys pause. Modern systems even have smoke and carbon monoxide detection features, which is nice. Here’s several more thoughts:
- erect fencing;
- post “no trespassing” signs;
- harden your doors and windows;
- trim tress and bushes to deter easy hiding spots;
- install bright exterior lighting;
- get a guard dog or seven.
Protecting Yourself in the Worst Situations
When SHTF scenarios arrive, you won’t have much time to think. Decisiveness can make the difference between survival and not. But you’ll increase your odds of survival drastically if you first decide whether you’ll stay put or bug out. Use the above as thought starters, and before you know it, you’ll have a thorough plan in place and preparations to see you and your family through even the hardest of times.
[Note: This was a guest post.]
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