Grid Down Acapulco: “There’s Nothing to Eat”

[Prepper1]

Though the government would like us to believe there is rarely looting or panic in the aftermath of a disaster, the fact of the matter is that within 72 hours of any serious crisis people will lose it.

Case in point: Acapulco, Mexico.

This week flood waters and landslides ravaged the resort town of Acapulco and stranded a reported 40,000 tourists, leaving them without food, water, or any means of escape. Major roadways into and out of Acapulco have been blocked by debris, cutting off recovery efforts for the city’s 680,000 residents.

With the city devoid of law and order, and emergency responders overwhelmed, looters hit the streets in a matter of hours.

You’d think that those who failed to prepare for the possibility of a disaster would be out looking to acquire extra food, fresh drinking water and supplies, but apparently, as we saw in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, electronics and other consumer goods were the order of the day:

Back in town, thousands of looters streamed out of the Costco wholesale store in the exclusive Diamante district, wading out of the flooded store with food, televisions and even fridges while soldiers and federal police looked on, AFP correspondents said.

…

Other looters broke glass doors to enter shops in two malls, snatching home appliances and mattresses.

“We can’t stop them. We are in a serious emergency situation,” a soldier said, declining to give his name.

The looters were out in droves looking for TV’s and other high cost goods when they first realized there was no police prescence.

By morning, it became clear that the situation was a bit more widespread then they had anticipated. People quickly realized they didn’t have enough essential goods on their pantry shelves and made their way to local grocery stores, where, as you may have guessed, they were met with thousands of others who had the same idea.

All of them were a day late…

“We are taking food to our children, there’s nothing to eat,” said a woman hauling away grocery bags.

…

Meanwhile, tourists and residents formed huge lines to buy food at three supermarkets that remained open.

Those who couldn’t find food at local grocery stores turned to their government.

But there were too many hands and not enough food.

As you can see from the number of reached out hands in the photo above, and the number of rations available, the situation was dire for many who never thought to keep reserve foods in their homes.

Time and again we have seen these same events play out after a disaster.

After Hurricane Katrina hundreds died from dehydration and lack of medical supplies.

Within a couple of days of Hurricane Sandy hitting the east coast last year residents were rummaging through trash cans for food.

Yearly power outages during winter months leave tens of thousands without electricity and supplies, and grocery stores are cleaned out within hours ahead of a storm, leaving the majority of people to depend on the few food items they have in their cupboards.

What’s notable about this is that it happens every few months somewhere in the world, and people still don’t take preventative measures to insulate themselves for the next time.

And there is always a next time.

Katrina, Sandy, Acapulco – all of these are small-scale temporary emergency events lasting a few days to a couple weeks. And in all cases the local and federal governments are able to provide support and supplies, albeit usually in a disorganized and limited manner.

Imagine how horrific it will be for the non-prepper in a large-scale disaster that destabilizes an entire region or country for an extended period of time.

It is simply impossible for emergency management agencies to respond to a crisis involving hundreds of thousands or millions of people across several regions or metropolitan areas all at once.

Even FEMA, which recently stockpiled 140 million meals-ready-eat, isn’t prepared. They have said so themselves, and recommend a minimum two week emergency stockpile. Their response will be limited, and more than likely wholly ineffective.

Though it seems like a lot, 140 million meals will go quickly. A disaster affecting just 1% of the U.S. population, for example, would consume that many meals within just two weeks. If 10% of the population were affected, forget about it. We’re talking complete meltdown – looting, theft, robbery, violence, blood in the streets.

We live in a world of perceived security and safety.

As Tess Pennington notes in The Anatomy of a Breakdown, one far-from-equilibrium event and the whole thing falls apart – in 72 hours or less.

- See more at: http://www.thedailysheeple.com/grid-down...qtXSE.dpuf

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[Scythe13]

That's what we all know it will be like.

If it's a short lived emergency, it makes sense to go for the expensive stuff. Bullion stores and high end jewellers would be my primary targets if it was only flooding or something like that. Saves money having to buy the stuff haha.

Truth is, I'd end up stopping off at a supermarket on the way home and getting as much as I could.

[Jonas]

There are several more considerations compounding the problems in Acapulco:
1. Who carries "preps" on vacations to luxury vacation resorts? Probably no one! When you're there, you're pretty much at the mercy of the resort owners and management. If the SHTF and they're not prepared to provide for your basic needs (food, water), you're screwed!
2. Once the roads are closed and the airlines stop flying, "bugging-out" is no longer an option.
3. The only firearms in Mexico are the guns legally carried by the police and military, and the far more numerous guns illegally held by the drug cartel members. Self-defense in Acapulco is NOT a viable option for the tourist.
4. The Mexican government, at all levels (local, state, and federal) is incredibly corrupt. If you don't have the extra cash to bribe your way to the head of the line or out of a bad situation, you're doubly screwed!
5. For the US citizens, the US State Department is probably the most inept and ineffective department in an amazingly inept and ineffective government. Don't look for help from the US consulate or embassy staff - you won't get it!
6. In Mexico, the words "don't drink the water" are truly words to live by. Dysentery can and will kill tourists, and the bottled water supply will run out in an emergency.

All in all, vacations to "third world" (or even "second world") countries are probably not worth the risk!

[Straight Shooter]

this is 'what bothers me most .....when people desperate for FOOD and are going to kill you for it , I hang on to if I can make it through that part ......the rest of if although hard I could manage, the more I ponder on this the more I feel I will have to bug out , over the hills and far away up high , I am begining to wonder if I have built up a false sense of security about staying buged in, starvation is a powerful emotion and the human response to survive.......if you have familay multiply that by ten...... for all our prepps what would we do? Even we are not bullet proof, my point is how desperate does any human need to be.

[MaryN]

I know what you mean, S, it is a big worry. I am still convinced that the best way is to try and establish a little community with your neighbours and try to hep each other out. It would provide a bit more security. Then again, your neighbours may be awful.

Anyone for a little island somewhere?

[Straight Shooter]

thing is mary, I think because we prepp , and just the fact that we do does not mean automatic safe passage to some figmented promised land, even in a group its dangerous to assume a position of strength just because WE THINK we have covered most of the bases , true we may well be prepared and that gives us a edge BUT how much of an edge in reallity ...only the passage of time will sort that out all said and done I hold no illusions. On how hard the reallity might turn out to ALL our horrors...........I'm so glad I,v cheered you all up! .

[River Song]

I've got a large bottle of Harveys Bristol Cream, some Valium and some large does of Morphine. If it gets unbearable darling, I shall put on my best little black number and retire gracefully. I shall not make a noise as it will frighten the horses. :-)

[bigpaul]

i'm not giving up so easily, they'll have to come over the top of the barricades and shoot me in the head first!!

[BeardyMan]

(20 September 2013, 15:58)Scythe13 Wrote: Bullion stores and high end jewellers would be my primary targets if it was only flooding or something like that.

You'd have more luck robbing a bank. You ever been in somewhere like that? My friend imports diamonds, got an office in Hatton Gardens. You can't just walk into the building, there are 3 layers of security, ID checks, and you have to be expected and on the list. That's just to get in the building. You'd then have to get into the office, then get into the safe. That's providing there's no one there to protect their investments. These aren't the kind of people you want to stand near in a pub, let alone try and rob them. They kind of take it personally.

[bigpaul]

at the end of the day you cannot eat gold, silver or jewellery, and I don't think post collapse anyone will be stupid enough to swap FOOD for it, if they are they deserve everything they get!