"The premise that there is little food, fuel and water in this region is not credible. Let's start with fuel. The area sits on huge coal deposits that were NOT tapped out when oil and gas took over. There's a lot of high-grade anthracite coal etc. Not only that, forests which were cleared generations ago for family farms have grown back. The reason is that the farming moved into the midwest where the soil was easier to work than that of the East (particularly New England). But when that wood gets cut down again, it is a source of fuel, and the opened up spaces are now available for farming again. Railroad tracks (which can easily be repaired with all this timber) can be used again, and the fuel can be coal. This is only the beginning. Water? In the East it comes out of the skies. You can go a long time without watering your grasses, your crops and certainly not your trees. Irrigation is something very simple (sometimes pipes have been found to be made with hollowed out tree trunks, back in a previous century: they still work). So the East is not exactly as challenged as the rustbelt image would indicate. The ability to come together without needing cars and gasoline, by means of rail, still-existing canals from the early 19th century, and by means of river and coasting trades is never going to go away. It's all sitting there to be used. Okay, so there were some nuclear wipeouts. I guess Japan recovered. Go USA!"

"dcborn I have to agree with you. But, what makes it credible is that people in the USA (meaning the real USA of today) have grown so accustomed to depending on stores and buying, that most can not even imagine producing their own food and fuel. Very few people, except the back to the land and organic growers can even imagine collecting rain water in cisterns or barrels. I live in a small city and am converting my yard so I can be self-sufficient. You can not even imagine the looks I get when I mention it. I even have had people complain to the city. Of course, I checked with the city before I started and they approved what I am doing. I totally believe that some people would starve because there is "no" food or water. I'm a former hippy wanabe who expected something to happen in the year 2000 so I'm still preparing. Even in New York City, people are growing food in empty lots and rooftops but most are not. Could we survive something like Jericho? Absolutely, but it would take a huge mindset shift for most Americans."

"You are right flagtag. The thing that worries me about that is that if something major were to happen those people who are still asleep would decide that it is their right to be supported by the people who are prepared. I used to live in Minneapolis and decided to move farther north because I was, to be honest, afraid of my neighbors if something were to happen. I try to encourage people to follow my lead but it doesn't seem to help much. I hope you are preparing also. I have food storage which has helped me in times need. I am also preparing in case I have to manage without gas and electricity - that is one difficult thing to do especially here in Minnesota. I also store water. "

"One thing about the United States is when you knock her down she get back up more stronger then before. Just look at history the war of 1812, the civil war, World War 2 and 9-11-01 all time the U.S. was hit and seemed to be down but look what happened
So the U.S. may be down but not out
"

"canning is actually pretty easy to do though time consuming, but if you're wanting to store food for long term dehydrated food seems to keep longer as long as you keep it dry plus it takes up a lot less space to store it . i've had realy good dehydrating most vegtables and use them quite often in soups ect. if you are going to do potatoes make sure you use white or russet"

"It figures! (Potatoes) I like red better. But, hey, white & russet are cheaper. I plan to also plant potatoes so I guess I'll go with white. And buy red to eat fresh, as long as possible. I've been pricing dehydraters but haven't picked one out yet. I have an ancient meat grinder (Mother's) that clamps on a table edge, which might come in handy also.
I'm curious about cauliflour (one of my favorites). I read that it could be frozen, but wouldn't that "burn" it? Do you know? I will have LOTS of tomatoes, greenbeans, peppers, corn, carrots, onions. My father used to freeze fish. Of course, frozen wouldn't last long if the power went out. "

"dcborn I have to agree with you. But, what makes it credible is that people in the USA (meaning the real USA of today) have grown so accustomed to depending on stores and buying, that most can not even imagine producing their own food and fuel. Very few people, except the back to the land and organic growers can even imagine collecting rain water in cisterns or barrels. I live in a small city and am converting my yard so I can be self-sufficient. You can not even imagine the looks I get when I mention it. I even have had people complain to the city. Of course, I checked with the city before I started and they approved what I am doing. I totally believe that some people would starve because there is "no" food or water. I'm a former hippy wanabe who expected something to happen in the year 2000 so I'm still preparing. Even in New York City, people are growing food in empty lots and rooftops but most are not. Could we survive something like Jericho? Absolutely, but it would take a huge mindset shift for most Americans."