What if...

[Nix]

...El Nino and/or North Atlantic cold does bring one of the hardest winters on record resulting in prolonged blackouts and conditions resulting in shops closing down and transport meltdown.

Ok, so just about everybody will have their shelter in the form of their home, food stores for at least a month and, hopefully, alternative heating (don't forget that if the grid goes down, gas central heating won't work!).

So, how about (in no particular order):

- Power - are you going to need it? If so, how are you going to get it?
- Transport - if you have to go out (& why would you?) - how are you going to do it?
- Money - got spare cash in case card machines are down?
- Water - what if your pipes freeze? If you then rely on snow/ice, what are you going to do to melt it and make it safe?
- Communications - if the phone line goes down, sure, you've got your mobile but what happens when you flatten the battery?
- Livestock/pets - can you look after your critters? What happens if your dog/cat needs to take a dump and there's three foot of snow outside?
- Cooking - have you got alternative methods of cooking yourself & loved ones a hot meal? Will it be safe? Have you catered for not needing an oven/stove?
- Lighting - everyone's got candles but have you got enough?
- Neighbours - some of us may look fairly cosy with our preps so others may notice and come a knocking, that ok with you?
- Entertainment - especially those with kids, sitting around inside the house for days on end will try anyones patience, got a plan?
- The vulnerable ie elderly parents/babies/disabled - can you cope?
- Medications - got enough for those who need it?
- Sanitation - hey, what if there's a failure with the sewer system or no water on tap for flushing? Would you even know how to flush without mains?
- Weather/Storm damage - what you going to do if you need to get into repair mode, got the tools and equipment?
- Scum chancing their luck - got security/deterrent/protection?
- News updates - how are you going to keep tabs with what's happening and any further warnings?
- Emergencies - what happens if a loved one gets sick or slips and breaks a bone?

The list goes on and on but I'm hoping that someone will throw something into the equation that hasn't even entered my head yet so I can deal with it.