Quite a few Americans believe that disaster is looming on the horizon. In fact, approximately 60 percent are expecting some type of calamity to have a widespread impact on the United States or, potentially, the entire world. On top of that, they believe it may not be very far away. Despite those convictions, fewer than 30 percent of the nation has taken steps to prepare for what might come. Of those that have, most aren’t fully ready to handle a survival situation.
With that in mind, companies like Prepared Bee are taking measures to help people formulate plans and gear up for various types of emergency and survival scenarios. They offer a range of equipment to help people survive in the face of disaster. Of course, many argue that it’s virtually impossible to be prepared for every possibility because there’s no way to know what the future might hold.
Exploring Possible Disasters Humanity May Face
Several scenarios could come to mind when thinking about devastating disasters. They could take place on a localized scale or have national or global consequences. All it takes is watching the news each night to get a bad feeling about the future. While almost anything could happen in the years to come, some situations are a bit more likely than others. Take a look at some of the most probable catastrophe’s humanity could face in the coming years.
Weather-Related Events
Most people feel that weather-related events and other natural disasters are the most likely occurrences to take a toll on the planet. There’s a good reason for that, as they’re already happening all around us. To make matters worse, the disasters are growing more common. By some accounts, they’ve more than quadrupled over the last four decades. That means being prepared for their aftermath is essential.
Some of the most common weather-related disasters are hurricanes, tornadoes, drought, and flooding. Severe thunderstorms and winter storms can cause significant damage and danger as well. Additionally, many disasters may take place as a result of weather and related conditions, including landslides, droughts, and wildfires.
Events like these are fairly localized, but some experts insist they’re affecting increasingly larger areas. Some people also believe weather-related disasters could grow out of control in the future. If so, they’ll cause much more widespread destruction than they currently do.
Other Natural Disasters
While weather events can be disastrous, other natural disasters can be even more detrimental. Volcanic eruptions and earthquakes fall into this category as do tsunamis since they’re typically caused by earthquakes and eruptions. Some reports suggest tectonic and volcanic activity levels have remained steady over the decades, but other authorities insist that quite the opposite is true. Keep in mind that earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are often connected, so if one ramps up, the other would naturally follow suit.
On top of that, some studies indicate that such activity is getting more intense. The number of earthquakes with an 8.0 magnitude or higher has become more prominent over time. Numerous people believe that the scale of these events is going to grow, possibly reaching global proportions. If so, the effects will undoubtedly be monumental, possibly bringing an end to life as we know it.
Economic Upset
Economic upset is another potential eventuality. At the last count, at least 70 percent of Americans express concerns that another recession could soon take place. Many feel that a recession is the least of our worries. A global depression or complete economic collapse may even unfold in the near future. No doubt, it could reach the point where poverty and hunger touch almost every family rather than seeming like a somewhat abstract concept to most.
Societal Breakdown
Yet another possibility would be a breakdown of society. Many are quick to agree that this is a distinct possibility. At the rate civilization seems to be declining these days, only a handful of people would be willing to take the needs of others into account if things took a turn for the worse. It would largely be an every-man-for-himself scenario.
Some people might roll their eyes at the thought of such a development, but the concept really isn’t as far-fetched as naysayers may think. For quite some time, certain authorities have been keeping track of factors that could cause society to break down. Those include widespread natural disasters and economic collapse. Scarcities of food, clean water, and other resources could spark a scenario like this, too. Previously mentioned authorities say a breakdown in society is inevitable, and it could begin within the next couple of decades.
Making Preparations for Possible Disasters
All those situations could take place in the future, but plenty of other disasters are possible as well. Some of them seem more imminent than others. Surviving them requires thorough preparation. Remember, in any of those scenarios, the conveniences we all take for granted today may not be at our disposal. Electricity, clean running water, and the internet could become unavailable.
Grocery stores would quickly run out of food and other essentials. Even if they didn’t, their operating systems wouldn’t work, and many people wouldn’t be able to use their debit cards or phones to access their money and make purchases. Besides that, much of their inventory would spoil without refrigeration, so it would be useless.
With that in mind, having a backup plan is recommended. Consider building a significant supply of bottled water and non-perishable foods. Pack a bug-out bag for each family member that contains essentials like clothing, flashlights and batteries, emergency radios, fire starters, hardcopy maps, tarps, and multi-purpose knives, to name a few necessary items.
Gather medications as well. This is particularly important for family members who suffer from medical conditions like asthma and diabetes. Having a portable grill or stove and fuel on hand is also advised. First-aid kits shouldn’t be overlooked, either. Those are only a few basic necessities, and items that are considered essential could vary depending on the type of disaster being faced.
Be Ready for What’s to Come
It’s impossible to be prepared for all disasters that could bring an end to the way of life we’ve all come to depend on. Not everyone has the resources to build a bunker and stock it with enough supplies to last a few years. Still, a little planning and advance preparation could go a long way in a survival situation whether it’s a short-term localized event or a global disaster.
