Down goes the Grid

[rockhound]

Yes, we are more fortunate than most. The largest population live in big cities with no concept of anything discussed here. If McDonalds is closed, they starve to death. Good Luck. rockhound

 

[homefires]

LOL! I can picture City Slickers pull in off I-10 into Deming trying to Intimidate someone out of there food, water or other.


The little old ladies around here may be coming out of the house with a shot gun in hand.

 

[rockhound]

Yes, that same scenario would be repeated in most of rural America, and all throughout the countryside. Sadly, much of rural America and our farmland is being gobbled up by large corporations intent on gaining full control of our food supply. Corporate America already has the money, and water tied up, so about all that is left is the food supply. Once in control, all they need to do is pass a few laws making it illegal to grow food or raise livestock, which is on the horizon. Good Luck. rockhound

 

[rockhound]

A friend of mine just installed skylights and a solar water heating unit in his attic, a 2 story farm house which he just purchased. When it came up for sale, it caught his interest because of a large stream of water running through the property. He has plans to build a water wheel or water turbine setup to power his house. He lived in Maine and said the temperature yesterday was around 30 degrees F. The attic and solar water and heating unit ran around 120-136 degress, which held the inside temperatures at around 70-75 degrees. The water temperatures were hovering around 130 all day, from morning until late evening, after the sun had gone down. Having this solar heating and installing a water wheel, he will never have to rely on any outside electrical or heating system, unless he has several days in a row of clouds filled skys. In summer, he has a reflector to install over the skylight, to partially reflect the light. It only allows 20-25% of sunlight to penetrate the skylight. If he wanted to, he could setup an ammonia system to cool the house with the heat during the summer. The Amish have been using this system for years. Good Luck. rockhound

 

[rockhound]

I just read an article, where some scientists and astronomers are predicting large sun storms like we have never seen, possibly coming in the near future, Goodbye grid, goodbye unprotected electronic devices. If this happens in the winter, it will be far worse than in the spring or summer. This could totally wipe out our economy and civilization as we know it. Water and food wil be the first thing to go in a scenario like this, without trucks and rail to transport goods and no communication to know where goods need to be delivered, it will be nothing but chaos. Those who are prepared will stand a better chance of surviving when and if this happens. They predict that if this does happen then hoards of people will be looking for food and water within 4 days. Any disaster that happens causes people to react in a self preservation mode and they will do anything to secure provisions for them and their family. Civilized rational people will kill, if need be for what they need. It is the law of the jungle, only the strong survive. I hope most of you have planned and made preparations in case a disaster like this happens.Good Luck. rockhound

 

[rockhound]

We had a CME coronal mass ejection on 01/12/2012. It was unual as it wasn't a spike but rather a longer curved ejection. It was equivalent to an m4 flare according to source who released the data. We were lucky this time that our electonic devices and electric grid wasn't effected much. Some saw an increase in brightness in their lighting but it was not enough to cause permanent damage. If it had been a spike, it could have been far worse, possibly causing much damage to our electronic devices, as well as the power grid. If this happens in the summertime it will be far less dangerous as it would in the winter. Most of the planet on the side toward the sun could lose their power and it could take months to restore it. Countries on the other side of the planet may not be much better off as some of the CME would affect them also. Good Luck. rockhound

 

[rockhound]

When and if the grid goes down, the first thing that will be evident is, of course electricity, but in a few minutes you will realize that you have no water. It doesn't matter whether you are on a municpal system or a well, you are in the same situation. A generator will let you pump water from a well or spring. Water is the most necessary element to life as we know it. You can go several days without food, but not very long without water. We all take it for granted, as it is as close as our sink or refrigerator, but when it is not there, we will soon be wanting it.For those who live close enough to a stream, creek, river or lake, you can walk and go get water. Even water from a farm pond is better than no water at all. You can put rainbarrels under your downspouts and catch rainwater in an emergency or for watering you plants or garden during a drought, when watering is banned. You can live without electricity but not water. people in past times used cisterns, well and springs to get their water, and these can still be utilized. If obtaining water tha hs not been purified you will need to boil it for a few minutes or add chlorine bleach(1 capful to a gallon), shake it and let it sit a few minutes before drinking it. You can also use the water purification tablets to make your water safe. There are also water purification bottles and pumps that will eliminate most of the viruses and contamination in the water. Most have charcoal filters to make the water more palatable, too. Many types of nasty bugs inhabit our water and these will make you very sick without first treating it, so as a precaution it is always better to treat the water before drinking it, unless it comes from a reliable source. Everyone should have a plan in effect to obtain water in times of need. Making preparations now will eliminate confusion and undecidedness when and if it happens. Good luck. rockhound

 

[rockhound]

There are several ways to heat water when the grid goes down. One is of course, boiling over a fire or stove. Another, in the summer time would be to fill up a water hose and stretch it across your yard with the ends on it closed(black or green works best). Yet another is the camp shower, which cosists of a black water bladder, hung from a tree limb or other elevated surface. The sun heats the water and you can cntrol the water flow by opening the valve, this also works best in the summer. Water does not need to be purified in order to use it to shower with. Water from any source, rainbarrel, creek or river or even a lake or pond would work. A back yard swimming pool is the best water storage units I have found. They are not expensive and can hold lots of water. You can drain your downspouts into them or a barrel to catch runoff from a storm. In a picnch you could double a couple of black trash bags and use as a water heater, but would need to be supported on the bottom. You can buy the camp showers at most camping and or outdoor supply stores or at www.cheaperthandirt.com Good Luck. rockhound

 

[werleibr]

You will not loose water right away when power goes down to the grid if you are on a municpal system. The municpal system is not set up like that. The pressure in the system will continue to deliver water until the Water tanks and towers cannot provide the water pressure to get the water to your house. Not to mention many municpal water wells have back up generators. This is why when you do loose power during a storm, you can still use water.

 

[rockhound]

Yes, you will have water for a short time period. If nothing happens to the lines such as an earthquake or other disaster. A long term solution is what I am discussing here. Most municiapalities do have a backup system to run for a while, but if a disaster happens like Katrina or one of the tornados that the west is famous for, it could knock out the grid and the water supply. You may not be hit, but the suppliers may be. Good Luck. rockhound

 

[strickman]

here's a link to watch current solar flares ,there has been a lot of activity lately. http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/data/LATEST/current_c2.gif

 

[rockhound]

Scientists are predicting that these solar flares will become more violent over the next 2 years, causing many disasters such as hurricanes, tornados, and earthquakes. If these do become more violent and numerous, we will all need to have a bunker to hunker down in. Stocked with ample fod and water supplies to last out these storms. With a few simple plans, we can weather the storms and come out unscaved. We may lose our homes or vehicles, but they can be repalced, our lives can't. I hope you all are preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. That is a good website to keep abreast of these storms. Thanks. Good Luck. rockhound