"When one part of a grid is damaged, it causes other areas to be overloaded. Overload protection would kick in and shut down more of the grid. This is what happened in the 2003 New York blackout. Yes, we would need to reroute the power around the damaged areas. The power might shut down immediately and it could take months to restore it.

There are power plants all over the U.S. How an EMP affects them would depend on whether electronic controls were used to operate them. It might be possible to bypass the damaged controls and operate a "dormant coal burner" manually. After all, we had electricity long before computers. The problem might be finding someone who knows how the plants were operated before computers were connected to them."

"How about in the long term?? Assuming DC doesn't get nuked, how would you get heat or get fuel for cooking?? I am not talking about age here. I am asking in reference to urban survival. There are no forests to cut wood in. Gas stations are out of gas. The power grid is shot.

Assuming you could hunt or otherwise get food and water, how would you cook or heat your apartment/house????????"

"How long would that last? Furniture would be gone in a few days and the chemicals in the wood may make you sick. Candles don't give much heat when it is ten below zero outside. Rolling up the magazines and newspapers is a good point. As is insulating and fireproofing the area.
"Use sunlight coming through the windows to help heat." This is what I was getting at. Passive solar (no solar panels needed) heaters can provide much of your heat. Solar cookers can be used to bake or roast food. They can be built out of materials that many of us have on hand. The information is available online and in library books. Online search terms I found best are "solar cookers", "solar window boxes", and "passive solar.""

"Yes, I did notice you listed the furniture as a last resort.
I have one of those special "blankets." I recently purchased a ''box stove" (small wood burning cast iron) as an alternate heat source (supposed to heat 800 sq. ft) I have to research installation and building code information before I can install it.
You might like Louis Lamour's books. Although they are westerns, he gives accurate information on surviving in the wilderness.
I have websites saved on my computer concerning the solar heating and cooking. I want to install some of these on my house. Would you like me to list some of the sites for you?"

"well, if it came to it...gas might save you. it's all about ventillation."

"i believe that this should have been mentioned long ago:
your best friend in the early stages of survival is not your gun, not your knife, nor is it your best friend. your best friend is your wind-proof lighter."

"But don't forget, a gun can come in handy in times of need!"

"well, if it came to it...gas might save you. it's all about ventillation."

"No, gas burns too fast to use for heat. Lighting gas is too risky.

Try the windproof lighter some one else suggested or carry waterproof matches for lighting fires. You can always carry some dry tinder (leaves, twigs, bits of old bird's nests) with you.

Gasoline burns are extremely painful. My dad only survived because the right person was there to save him."