Nobody knows when (or if) something will happen to disrupt the U.S. power grid. However, here are a few simple things to keep in mind. It may save a life, so it's worth reading.

1. Communications will shut down. I learned from staying through several major hurricanes that, If you think you can rely on your cell phone to work in a disaster, think again. In a crisis, everyone reaches for their phone. Cell sites can only handle about 150 to 200 calls per second per sector. Anything more than that and they just start generating busy signals. The network can't handle a sudden surge of calls at the same time. Also, the networks can be switched to "emergency calls only". If SHTF and you can't call on your cell phone (which will probably happen)... try sending a simple word text. NO emoji's, no graphics, no photos... just simple text. Cell phone towers treat that differently and handle it as a small byte data transfer. A simple text will often go through when a cell phone call is impossible.

2. Gas stations require electricity to pump gas & diesel. Some have small emergency generators or battery backups... but they won't work for long. No fuel = no trucking. Keep an emergency supply of food at home, at least 2-weeks worth. If SHTF, stores will be stripped bare quickly and they will become dangerous places. Larger stores require electricity for the registers and scanners. They require internet and computers for any transaction. ATM's require internet and electrical power. If the grid goes down, some of these have battery backups and may work for a very short while, but most will simply go dark. Keep a little cash on hand. I learned from major hurricanes to NOT shop at the big supermarkets. Instead, look to 2nd & 3rd tier stores that others won't think of ... and quickly get what you need. Tuesday Morning has a variety of foods, but it's not a grocery store. It also won't have long lines. Get thee to the 99-Cent store or to Dollar Tree or Dollar General. They have food and aren't on people's priority list. If you need water, try Staples or Office Depot. They generally have cases of bottled water when everyone else runs out... but nobody ever thinks to go there.

3. Water. Most areas have water towers, which gravity feed to your area. There will be enough water for maybe 1-2 days. However, electricity is needed to treat any new water and pump it into the tower. Once the towers are drained, don't expect water to be available. Immediately when SHTF, fill up drinking water containers from the sink. Remember that water if vital for life. Store at bare minimum 1 gallon per day per person of drinking water. If you have a family of four, expect to go through a 5-gallon jug per day of drinking water. Too many people get 1 or 2 big bottles of water, or a few cases... and think that will be enough. If SHTF, it may take 4 or 5 days to restore electrical power, possibly more. Right now, 5 gallon bottles of water can be bought for around $5.00 each. Spend $35 now and keep an entire week supply for emergency.

4. Medicines: If the internet goes down or power is spotty... or if you have to evacuate... expect the U.S. military or national guard to set up makeshift pharmacies in some states. Else, expect some cities to have power and working pharmacies, but others won't. How do you get your prescriptions filled in an emergency? CALL your pharmacy and have them generate a printed list of all your prescriptions. Keep that list handy. If SHTF, you can hand that print-out to any pharmacy in the U.S. (or to military) and they can fill those prescriptions on an emergency basis. If you don't have an official list... good luck. Also, a few of those empty prescription bottles can be a good thing to save. If your pharmacy is CVS or Walgreens or a major store's pharmacy... you can show them an empty prescription bottle... and they can fill an emergency prescription if necessary. DO NOT expect them to be able to call your doctor to verify, or to contact your normal pharmacy or insurance company. That's not happening. Carry proof... and you can get what you need.

5. MAPS. If SHTF, don't expect GPS to be available. Even if it is, you may not have internet... or even a working electronic device. Having PAPER MAPS of your state and area are critical. In an emergency, the National Guard may set up checkpoints to secure a city or county. They typically do that along major roads and highways or large bridges along County Lines or City Limits. How do you get around checkpoints to get into / out of counties? Use the smaller residential roads to bypass those checkpoints. That requires a map. Most of the time, National Guard are directed to keep unauthorized people OUT of a county. They have no orders to chase down and arrest anyone once they are in the county. If you get turned away from a checkpoint, don't argue. Simply turn around, go a few blocks back... find an alternate route on residential streets and bypass the roadblock. Even if they see you do it... they aren't authorized to do anything now that you are in the county. :>)

Sorry to be long winded. Wanted to give people a few things to think about ahead of time. Most of these don't cost hardly a thing... but can save your life if you do them in advance and prepare.