Prepare in general for two basic scenarios: In and Out<br><br>In:<br>You will be holing up on your domicile for the duration. <br>Presumed: Shelter is provided by current domicile and therefore not part of preparations; utilities are compromised of absent; commerce is disrupted or absent. Durration may be as much as a month.<br>Needed: All utilities may be suspended or suspect. Even if the water is still flowing you shouldn't count on it being safe to drink - especially during flooding. Some bottled water is a good idea - two gallons per day per person is the usual suggestion. There are large volume bladder type containers that fit under the bed if you have a space constraint. Work something like the chamber of a water bed. If you have a water bed then you could clean it and cycle the water in it every few months and be all set. <br>Some method of creating safe water will be needed - usual recommendations include filter and fire since fire is not usually safe within a home unless you have a fire place or heat with wood I would normally recommenc a filter. for the "stay at home" scenario a large gravity filter is probably best. These are usually the size of two large saucepans stacked. <br>Some method of heating will be required. Here a wide range of options are available. A small kerosene heater is easily storable and would heat 1 room adequately on a very small cache of fuel - say 5 gallons. Here we begin to fill up the bottom of a small closet. Another option is to go cold. This is not often recommended but if you are in good health and have adequate clothing it is doable but very uncomfortable. Even with this option you should be prepared to melt water since it will freeze even if you don't.<br>Some light source is convenient though not necessarily a life saving issue. A lantern that works on the same fuel as you cached for the heater is cheap and very effective.<br>Some food source is mandatory and since you will be in an urban area hunting and gathering will be quickly seen as looting and frowned upon by your neighbors. If you have a fueled stove or heater that can boil watter then dried foods such as rice and beans store very compactly and have a very long shelf life. If you are getting by without a heat source and have water then freeze dried foods are an option but they are very expensive. Some form of cured meat is often a tasty addition with a reasonable shelf life but unless you make it yourself it is pricey. <br>If the situation turns toward social anarchy you should probably consider the bug-out scenario before the armed defense options. In such situations it is reasonable to assume that there will be more disruptive types than peaceful types. Fortunately, in NJ /NY area the people have proven quite capable of enduring major disasters without turning hostile. In such circumstance you are much better off joining with the community in mutual support and aid than hiding in your hole or running for the hills.<br><br>The OUT scenario.<br>Presumed: Things are bad enough that you need to flee the scene - either your domicile is destroyed or made unsafe or the social structure has collapsed. Utilities are gone; public service agencies are stretched beyond capacity; basic market infrastructure is gone; physical infrastructure is suspect, collapsed or clogged (roads, bridges, etc).<br>Needed - destination, transport, travelling supplies, camoflage ( I don't mean a chille suite. I mean that you will need to look as ill-equipped as possible since any indication that you may be better equipped than your neighbor will be met with a request for aid with a greater or lesser level of politeness / hostility depending upon the personality of the needy one) . In this scenario you have already made the decision to abandon the community in favor of finding a better / safer location for yourself and your loved ones.<br><br>The most important consideration in this scenario IMO is the destination and preparations made there. If your destination is reasonably distant from your home then you will need more transport than otherwise. If your destination is another families home your preparation will require diplomacy and relationship building. Even the closest family members may feel put-upon if you move in unexpectedly for a month or two with your entire family. You should ask their permission to make them part of your emergency planning and ask them what they think you should to for them in order to prepare them for your potential arrival. Cached food-stuffs can be a help if they rotate them.<br>Transport - If your travel distance is under 50 miles and your destination is stocked; I would recommend the mountain bike or simply walking. The bike could cover that distance in two days. For two days hard travel with a comfortable destination to lookforward to you can travel very light. Water and filter, clothing for travel, light tent for stopping and an exbit stove to get something hot to drink and warm yourself should be all you need. If you are proficient, lisenced and emotionally prepared to use it you might ride armed. No need for much food beyond cliff bars for a two day ride. The advantage of traveling so light is that you are certainly not a target. You've got nothing other than the bike. <br>50 miles on foot is another thing. You will need much more food. 50 miles is the maximimum I would want to tackle on foot. I would expect this to take a week or more. Substantially more food will be required. Carying water for the trip is out the trip will be too long. The filter is much more important. You will be moving slowly enough that you will interact with others more or be forced to work at avoiding such contact. You will be an easier target and a more attractive target due to the greater gear. The off-road moto-cross motorcycle is a good option if the distance is large and you expect to be traveling a large distance. It is a bit of a target though. Be sure that you are fit enough and skilled enough to handle the mororcycle off-road before you consider this option. Just owning one and riding on the road every now and then doesn't make this a viable option. Go out there in the dirt and get messy, fall over a few times, carry the gear that you expect to need so you know how the bike will handle. etc.... Remember that using this option you will need to plan on carrying more mechanical supplies and more medical supplies to handle the potential of falling and breaking yourself or your bike.<br>In an urban setting a 4X4 doesn't help that much. You can't go off-road when there is a building in your way. If you are in a suburban environ where traveling accross yards is a possiblitiy then maybe. If you are a great distance from your destination then a vehicle is required and the 4X4 is your best choice. In this case the 4X4 becomes your shelter easily enough and fuel becomes a major concern.<br>Travelling supplies: Water and filter, appropriate defensive gear, Mechanical supplies as needed to maintain transport, shelter as needed depending upon mode of transport, Clothing - this should be prepared as if walking since you may be if your transport fails you. Food - here cliff-bars or other emergency rations are best since they are light and take no preparation.<br><br>The out scenario described relies on a well stocked and welcomming destination with support community. If you are considering an out scenario into true wilderness then you will need a different preparation.<br><br>Read all of the references that were posted on this thread before actually spending anything. Your milage may varry.<br><br>Stay involved and stay safe!