Where Will The Population Flee?

Originally Posted by strickj

I still plan on taking a Wally World!

For anyone planning on living off the land...I'll gladly trade some popcornballs for deer jerky!

If you take one make sure it's a Super Wally World then call your friends to hold it down. Judging from ammo supplies in Walley World bring a .40 and leave your 45's and 9's for us out in the woods. Keep the popcorn balls. I'd be looking for some cold beverages. Stay out of the cooler or you'll never hold it down.

You sure could sleep a lot of people at most Super Walmarts. Hope the electricity stays on, so the food doesn't spoil in the coolers.

I'm staying home to live or die. Not heading for the woods or the mountains. Great place to starve to death or freeze due to a poor shelter. About the only thing going for the woods is concealment and the possibility of a squirrel or deer.

Originally Posted by TNTitan

kinda like this!

YouTube - Democrats on Escalator

Dude they need a bailout to fix that escalator!

An excellent reference is James Rawles' book "How to Survive the End of the World (as we know it)". Lots of really good advice for normal times as well.

I'd expect most cities to have 50% or more of the population to Die in Place (DIP). Whether by earthquake, fire, starvation or murder, there will be a huge death toll. Second, the avenues of escape will be along the interstates and major roads. If you are 40-50 miles away from a city and 10 miles from an Interstate, you are unlikely to see large numbers of refugees. Naturally, the further the distance, the fewer refugees. Being close to a place viewed as a refuge will expose you to a large number of refugees. Military bases, and undamaged cities will be seen as a refugee. Smaller cities near the interstate are not a good choice to live. Dickson, Murfreesboro, Clarkesville, Cookeville, and other such cities will see large numbers of refugees. Chattanooga is a natural choke point. It will be swamped. Especially if there are refugees from Atlanta. From the middle of TN, south of I-24 and north of I-40 are relatively good places to be. There are also some areas between I-40 and I-24 that are not bad. City folk tend to try to get to another city, but will spread out from major traffic routes. In TN, the biggest danger of large numbers of refugees is from Memphis and Atlanta. Nashville and Knoxville are less likely to have large numbers leave, but probably will be seen as a refuge.
West TN is likely to suffer incredible damage in an earthquake as the geology there transmits energy quite well. Memphis is a death-trap in almost any kind of disaster.

If they know you prepared then they are coming to your house!

Originally Posted by DWARREN123

If they know you prepared then they are coming to your house!

I am completely unprepared. I have nothing. Good point.

Originally Posted by KarlS

I am completely unprepared. I have nothing. Good point.

I have 3 months food and water and of course some firearms. As a townie, I have few illusions that would make long term diff. Figure it might give me a month or two with luck to see if further effort is feasible or even desirable.

Also have bug out camping/survival stuff and access to some turf with water not too far away could try for awhile if could get there, but again, no real illusions about living off the land.

If I had kids/extended close family, I'd ensure that ALL had a YEAR's provisions and a place/plan to try surviving FROM.
I do believe meltdown is that much of a possibility in the next decade.
Or next month.

- OS

Dont agree with East Tn - why? You guys forget the Y-12 plant is there - still active...

Anywhere near any nuclear sites, including power plants, is a no go. Chernobyl should be a reminder.

Though there is the Cherokee Nation - they probably would know a thing or two about living off the land...

West Tn - hmm. decent farm land - population focused around Memphis.

Mid TN - hilly ( better defensive positions) good farm land - but starting to have population spread...

Sigh.

Most will stay in their houses and wait. In the short term, that may be the best situation, depending on the SHTF... fortify in place - let the people panic and run around - doubt most any streets / highways would be passable anyway...

As some have said, wait around for a bit, then you just might get your pick...

Living off the land would only last for a short amount of time! Hunting wise is what im talking about. Think about it,people would have the woods picked clean of deer in a matter of a years time,if that,then the squrriels,rabbits,birds and other animals would be long gone.People would have to guard their live stock at night to keep people from killin or stealing them.In a matter of 2 years tops,the woods would be lifeless.Our wild animal population is a very delicate resource and if not managed properly,is very easily wiped out.

Originally Posted by Rem_700

Living off the land would only last for a short amount of time! Hunting wise is what im talking about. Think about it,people would have the woods picked clean of deer in a matter of a years time,if that,then the squrriels,rabbits,birds and other animals would be long gone.People would have to guard their live stock at night to keep people from killin or stealing them.In a matter of 2 years tops,the woods would be lifeless.Our wild animal population is a very delicate resource and if not managed properly,is very easily wiped out.

Seems like there are alot of ideas and nobody is wrong. It's good to hear all sides. I still take my chances being as far away from the mass of people. There are way too many people out there that wouldn't have the first clue how to survive. To them survival will be looting and looking for help from those who know how. Gangs will overtake any sources of food and comfort.
If I can be where I can make it for a couple of years I would hope the mess is straightened away by then. If you live in a city or suburb now then I guess you'd have a decision to make. Do you stay put or go? I do think hunting will be critical to long term survival.