Transportation - Post Emergency

Having a plan for disaster preparedness is great; our job here is to help you with that. One of the things we want you to consider is how to get around in the face of a disaster. We take many modern conveniences for granted - including automobiles. Consider the logistics involved, however, in getting a car to run: you need gasoline, which is transported via trucks, roads in the case of most cars (trucks and 4x4's have extra capability here), a fresh battery, and good maintenance. These things might not be available during a crisis. You can reasonably expect there to be gas shortages (especially if your town is cut off from fresh supplies), lack of fresh oil, and no way to charge a battery if it goes bad.

Keep reading to learn other methods of travel during a crisis.



The most obvious answer is to walk. It's free, and takes no outside intervention to be able to do it. It's also good for you. In a prolonged survival event, being in good shape would be nothing but a benefit to you. You can travel across diverse terrain or through wooded areas without the fear of getting your vehicle stuck. You can even swim across flooded roadways (but do NOT swim if there is a current!).

A bicycle might be the next best option. You can travel further than you could by walking, and you can also carry more gear or supplies. If your water source is 2 miles away, it is a better choice to bike there if possible. You can also tow a wagon or other cart, or even a bike trailer made for kids, and fill it with other supplies. A few buckets of water would probably weigh about the same as a couple of children. Another consideration: a flat tire is easily fixed with a patch kit and a manual air pump, and repairs usually only need a wrench or other basic tools.

Cars are probably the worst option, because it will last for the shortest amount of time without fresh gas and oil. Also consider that a working automobile might be a valuable commodity during a disaster and thieves or vandals might either steal or destroy it, or part it out, or siphon gasoline. A pickup truck is a valuable tool but does no good if you can't drive it.

We always stress that there is no way to be prepared for everything, but if driving was no longer an option, for those of us in urban or suburban areas, can you walk or ride to everything you would need? Walking yields short distance travel and potentially crowded or polluted water and supplies. Riding has an advantage for distance but requires more physical endurance and strength to transport gear.  Just something to think about as you turn the key in your vehicle before leaving for work.