Bugging out with nowhere to go...

[HeliPilot]

The recent "Blackout" program on Nat Geo got my wife and I talking preparedness. We currently live in an area that in my opinion would be a fairly sound location to "bug-in" in the event of any type of mass panic/disaster type situation. I don't think it would sustain my spouse and I long term but initially I think we would fare better staying put rather than leaving.

However, my wife is insistent that where we are located is not good for bugging-in short-term or long-term. My closet known safe location is in southern Texas at my family ranch. Based off Mapquest however this location is over 1,200 miles from where we currently live and even with my wife's vehicle that has excellent gas mileage this would take us over 18 hours and multiple stops/tanks of gas to get to.

So here's my question, in the event of some sort of catastrophic SHTF situation should I attempt to stay put and hold out on what supplies I have as long as possible, should I attempt to make it to Texas, across two states of almost nothing but expansive barren desert, or should I get the map out and find a location closer to where I am and attempt to go there?

This last option is what my wife proposed, and to be honest this sounds reckless and an extreme last resort. My solution would be to stay put and only leave if absolutely necessary. What are y'alls opinions, anyone else in a similar dilemma?

[C4IGrant]

The recent "Blackout" program on Nat Geo got my wife and I talking preparedness. We currently live in an area that in my opinion would be a fairly sound location to "bug-in" in the event of any type of mass panic/disaster type situation. I don't think it would sustain my spouse and I long term but initially I think we would fare better staying put rather than leaving.

However, my wife is insistent that where we are located is not good for bugging-in short-term or long-term. My closet known safe location is in southern Texas at my family ranch. Based off Mapquest however this location is over 1,200 miles from where we currently live and even with my wife's vehicle that has excellent gas mileage this would take us over 18 hours and multiple stops/tanks of gas to get to.

So here's my question, in the event of some sort of catastrophic SHTF situation should I attempt to stay put and hold out on what supplies I have as long as possible, should I attempt to make it to Texas, across two states of almost nothing but expansive barren desert, or should I get the map out and find a location closer to where I am and attempt to go there?

This last option is what my wife proposed, and to be honest this sounds reckless and an extreme last resort. My solution would be to stay put and only leave if absolutely necessary. What are y'alls opinions, anyone else in a similar dilemma?

In these discussions, it hard to really give a good answer (either way) as we don't know if the problem is long tern or short term. Did the US currency crash (short term problem) or did we have a massive solar flare that returned the WORLD to the stone age (long term problem). So for me, it would be realistic analysis of the situation at hand and then decide on the best course of action.

If you haven't already, make friends with like minded folks in your area (that have more land and water than you). This might be your safer option for long term. I think I would stay put, have water and food for months (or the ability to gather/grow them).



C4

[RogerinTPA]

If that's your only option, I'd be thinking along the lines of linking up with some local (within a gas tank range) of M4C or Lightfighter types and forming a group, to train and prep with, then collectively deciding on a fall back position or two or three, with each additional fall back position being as remote or more remote as the first, with a water supply (well, stream, lake) and land to grow food, raise chickens, pigs, ducks, etc...strength in numbers. At a minimum, start organizing your neighborhood for short duration survival and defense (one month or less), and have each household store a month worth of food, water, medicine, firearms, ammo, med supplies, and have a plan to evac as a community. Having an MD, Nurse or Medic (hopefully all 3) in the group will payoff in spades.

[NWPilgrim]

the family ranch in TX is certainly one possible option, but only if the situation allows long range travel safely. That would mean bugging out BEFORE things get wild, proactive based on your assessment of impending events. So don;t throw the TX option away just because it is not right for every situation. I would even start strengthening relationships, and placing some preps there just in case it is viable.

Just bugging out to no where with no plan is being a refugee. This is the LEAST desirable option and only implemented if the situation is so dire than being a refugee is preferable that staying put (think Vietnam boat people who had about 50% death rate trying to flee over the ocean). Having a bug out bag gives you some chance but I would work hard to find a better Plan A.

I think for most people in many, but not all situations, and not right in a city are better off bugging in. At your house is where you have the most of everything: clothing, tools, supplies, food, friends, you know the locale and routes, etc. Examine what makes your wife uneasy about staying put and see if you can address those concerns.

Then it would be good to have a better Plan B, if you really, really have to bug out. I don't understand why bugging out seems to be at the top of so many prepper's list of responses. To me that means they are living in risky areas already and should change THAT, now. For people in suburbs and rural I think bugging in makes the most sense unless the situation involves severe property damage from storm, earthquake, chemical spill, etc. If you are forced to bug out I think you want to pick some place to you can get to without having to drive through any cities. Maybe 30-300 miles away depending on your terrain and routes and the primary threats you plan for.

If you don't have a safe place to bug out to, then bugging in usually is a far better choice. Just be careful and not be totally dependent on a single plan. Nature and Mr Murphy have a way of messing with our "one and only plan."

[skydivr]

My Dad's farm would make a great bug-in (spring fed water source, etc.) but it borders the damn interstate...

I need a hundred acres in the Ozarks with a cave and running water out in the middle of nowhere..

[HeliPilot]

Very good points thus far, Grant you're spot on in saying that different situations call for different actions. Let me say this now, I have no plan to just grab my shit and run out the door if SHTF. I think the idea of bugging out is an impractical answer to most situations, unless of course Russian paratroopers start landing in my backyard.

I think addressing my wife's concerns over staying put and fixing those would be a good place to start. I don't live in the suburbs and personally I'm all for holding out in a familiar area as long as it's safe and practical. Unfortunately being active military and subject to moving at the will of a set of orders I'm reluctant to get intensely into long term stationary prepping. I think the most practical means for me personally would be to be able to have enough supplies to support myself and spouse for 2 weeks to a month and have enough supplies to leave at a moments notice if necessary and get to a safer location.

Keep the input coming, and thanks.

[NWPilgrim]

Very good points thus far, Grant you're spot on in saying that different situations call for different actions. Let me say this now, I have no plan to just grab my shit and run out the door if SHTF. I think the idea of bugging out is an impractical answer to most situations, unless of course Russian paratroopers start landing in my backyard.

I think addressing my wife's concerns over staying put and fixing those would be a good place to start. I don't live in the suburbs and personally I'm all for holding out in a familiar area as long as it's safe and practical. Unfortunately being active military and subject to moving at the will of a set of orders I'm reluctant to get intensely into long term stationary prepping. I think the most practical means for me personally would be to be able to have enough supplies to support myself and spouse for 2 weeks to a month and have enough supplies to leave at a moments notice if necessary and get to a safer location.

Keep the input coming, and thanks.

Active duty is definitely a special situation. My daughter and her husband are in that same situation. My advice was to have at least 2-4 weeks of preps for the most common disasters. Then instead of a warehouse of preps, focus more on portable stuff like plenty of cash on hand, some silver/gold coins to protect against currency corruption, keep vehicles in good repair, have camping equipment, etc. While you can't eat cash, if you can;t store a ton of food at least cash and PMs give you a better than nothing chance of acquiring more supplies. Not perfect but much ahead of 95% of the population.

I think most active duty would have some fall back option on base wouldn't you? I mean if there is a disaster, would not the local base provide assistance for off base families? I would think any on-base aid would be WAY better than the FEMA camp (!!) and a decent Plan B. Worst case, pitch a tent against the perimeter fence and use base facilities. In other words, take advantage of your active duty status. Being active duty has limitations on what you can do in terms of permanent preps, but also has some advantages.

[Swstock]

I'm on an island that is half inhabited with those who you WOULDNT want to be around during a disaster. These are the EXACT people who you want to avoid at all costs. In order to say "bug out", I would have to go through their territory. There is no other option.


For me, its bug in and defend.

[Caduceus]

Active duty is definitely a special situation. My daughter and her husband are in that same situation. My advice was to have at least 2-4 weeks of preps for the most common disasters. Then instead of a warehouse of preps, focus more on portable stuff like plenty of cash on hand, some silver/gold coins to protect against currency corruption, keep vehicles in good repair, have camping equipment, etc. While you can't eat cash, if you can;t store a ton of food at least cash and PMs give you a better than nothing chance of acquiring more supplies. Not perfect but much ahead of 95% of the population.

I think most active duty would have some fall back option on base wouldn't you? I mean if there is a disaster, would not the local base provide assistance for off base families? I would think any on-base aid would be WAY better than the FEMA camp (!!) and a decent Plan B. Worst case, pitch a tent against the perimeter fence and use base facilities. In other words, take advantage of your active duty status. Being active duty has limitations on what you can do in terms of permanent preps, but also has some advantages.

You'd think so, huh? But my wife had to put in an "evac" plan with location, to her command, when she arrived. I think we just picked a random hotel in the next biggest city ... which makes me wonder if they have plans to accomodate dependents.

AD really sucks; you can start prepping, but every few years you're faced with moving it. Nice thing about TX is that it's central to the US, meaning within 48 hours you can get there from pretty much everywhere.

I echo the "get a group" mentality; that being said, if you're talking months of down time/SHTF, then getting to the ranch in TX might be the best option. Use what gas you have, and keep moving towards your goal.

[Javadrinker]

@Helipilot

I do not know where in s. Texas your family ranch is, but if you are not at least 100 miles north of the border I'd not go there. I am in s. Texas, and I would be looking to go north and west from here if shtf; and going as rural as possible. But then I think the biggest problem here is the spill over of violence from Mexico if there is a real shtf incident.