What State Is Safest In A SHTF Situation?

[Meerkat]

I would consider the Texas hill country, SE Missouri, and the Northern forests in Minnesota. Those are areas where you should be able to obtain decent water and have abundant wildlife, and also low population...

First two sound good, bu doesn't the low temp in Minn,get to 50 below at times? Or do I have it mixed up with someplace else?

 

[Spikedriver]

First two sound good, bu doesn't the low temp in Minn,get to 50 below at times? Or do I have it mixed up with someplace else?

I don't think it gets quite that cold, but it tends to be heavily forested and provides shelter from the wind. Winter is long there. You'd need to learn to ice fish. I'm not totally sure as to the availability not good water. I know there's some, but I imagine the major bodies of water have to be boiled to drink. (In Iowa our water is both chemically and biologically contaminated, and boiling doesn't make it safe.) The main reason I'd look at the Northwoods, is that the natural resources for self sustained life are just incredible. Abundant wood, abundant fish, abundant prey animals.

 

[Meerkat]

I don't think it gets quite that cold, but it tends to be heavily forested and provides shelter from the wind. Winter is long there. You'd need to learn to ice fish. I'm not totally sure as to the availability not good water. I know there's some, but I imagine the major bodies of water have to be boiled to drink. (In Iowa our water is both chemically and biologically contaminated, and boiling doesn't make it safe.) The main reason I'd look at the Northwoods, is that the natural resources for self sustained life are just incredible. Abundant wood, abundant fish, abundant prey animals.

That sounds like a good place and guess one could get use to the cold after awhile.

 

[hiwall]

In my opinion (which is all I have) the states east of the Mississippi River are out because no matter what spot you pick you will be too close to dense population centers. Also a large chunk of that area is prone to hurricanes and tornadoes. West coast is out because people there are stupid and they are all waiting for a big earthquake.
That leaves the central western states. Spots in any of those states could work though in many areas gardens might be impossible or at least not dependable. Also you would want to be at least a few hundred miles north of our southern border. Also well away from any major highway.
Everywhere has satellite internet available and many places it is the only option.
You would want to be no higher than 6000 foot elevation. Water is always an issue so you would want available surface water and a good private well.
Open land around your house for fields of fire and to help prevent wildfire danger. I do not consider any wildlife to be a physical threat because they could be mostly removed in a SHTF situation. Wildlife could be a danger to your garden and domestic animals but again in a situation some of that danger while not erased could be partially controlled.
The real danger always only has two legs.

 

[Sourdough]

I think I have seen a few hundred threads that start "EXACTLY" as this thread question asks.

But for some strange reason that is never never never where a single one has ever gone......Never.
It always goes to comfortable climate, beautiful countryside, TV reception, no insects, etc..

NEVER-EVER is the thread truly about where is the "Safest" place to SURVIVE.

Survival is not about being happy, or comfortable, or well fed, not even about being warm, or even always "absolutely" safe. Survival is being alive day after day after day after day. Maybe just barely alive but alive. Survival is not thriving, survival is simply being alive, for one more hour, or minute.

So what is required to survive.....and where is that place. Where is food, even if the food tastes like it came out of the south end of a cow pointed north. The goal is alive, not happy.

End of RANT:

 

[Spikedriver]

That sounds like a good place and guess one could get use to the cold after awhile.

My Norwegian ancestors had a saying - "There is no such thing as bad weather, there's only bad clothing". That means if you're properly attired (or prepared) you can handle everything nature throws at you, even bitter cold...

 

[Weedygarden]

When I mentioned Idaho (especially Eastern Idaho) being prepper central, it's because probably 75% of Eastern Idahoans are members of the Church*. Having a year's supply of food is pretty much standard with them; it's not an absolute requirement, but is strongly recommended. All my neighbors have their survival plans pretty sewed up, along with their own communications system through the Wards and Stakes. Plus they're all armed (at least all the ones I know).

Idaho has the second-highest percentage of Church members in the country; yet their plan is to share with their neighbors if the deal goes down, even if they're not Church members. This is nice, because we aren't Church members, although we've worked on our year's supply as well! They're also willing to help you with preps, which is a good thing if you're a n00bie.


* If you have to ask "which church?" you're probably not from the western U.S. LOL!!

A good friend of mine lives in Nevada and is a member. She is the preparedness person for her ward. She tells me that she is probably the only member of her ward that has a year's supply of food. Many are just not interested. They have blown that off because of the other needs and interests in this world. They expect that if something blows, they will all go to church and will be taken care of, because they belong to the church that is preaching preparedness. She told me that some have no understanding that "the church" is not prepared with a year's supply of food for it's members, it is the members who are to be prepared. And, early on when they adopted this, back in the 1800's, members were asked to have 7 years of food, because that is considered biblical. My guess is that early on when they got to Utah, people had little or nothing and were needing help with food. This 7 year plan was simple: wheat. Then add what it takes to use all that wheat: sugar, salt, oils (lard, fats, butter) as basics, and build on that.

When the pandemic hit, and so many people were buying bulk food, I wondered how many were members who had never responded to this directive from their church leaders. And then, how many others were people who had heard about preparedness and had thumbed their noses at the idea, until SHTF in late February, early March?

 

[Weedygarden]

Wyoming is often viewed as a place to survive because of having the lowest population per area in the U.S. People who have never been there or ever lived there do not understand that even growing trees there is a challenge. The wind whips through there and little grows there, at least on the prairie parts of Wyoming. Also, gardening is almost impossible without greenhouses.

One reason Wyoming would be a good place to live is because of how conservative people are there.

 

[hiwall]

Wyoming is often viewed as a place to survive because of having the lowest population per area in the U.S. People who have never been there or ever lived there do not understand that even growing trees there is a challenge. The wind whips through there and little grows there, at least on the prairie parts of Wyoming. Also, gardening is almost impossible without greenhouses.

One reason Wyoming would be a good place to live is because of how conservative people are there.

I have some family in Wyoming and before we bought this house I looked for places there. I could live there and in many areas gardens are quite common and viable. It does get a little breezy there at times
I have spent a fair amount of time in many spots there. It does have a lot going for it. Chilly in the winter though.

 

[Spikedriver]

I've spent way more time in Wyoming than I care for. The wind sucks. Wyoming is good for vacation but if I had to live there is probably put my head in an oven...

 

[SheepDog]

If the "SHTF" there is no "safe" state. Every state will have areas that are less affected and some areas will be larger than others but none will be safe. How far can a horde of people walk? Can you find a place that is farther than that from any given population center? Maybe a big steel boat 2 to 300 miles off shore would be a "safe" place for a while but you may still need food other than what the ocean can provide. You may have to be mobile so fuel may be necessary for when the wind doesn't blow. Dead is a safe place but not to live.

 

[Meerkat]

If the "SHTF" there is no "safe" state. Every state will have areas that are less affected and some areas will be larger than others but none will be safe. How far can a horde of people walk? Can you find a place that is farther than that from any given population center? Maybe a big steel boat 2 to 300 miles off shore would be a "safe" place for a while but you may still need food other than what the ocean can provide. You may have to be mobile so fuel may be necessary for when the wind doesn't blow. Dead is a safe place but not to live.

Boats havn't been safe for decades ,too many pirates or thats where we may have been.
Swamp was a fair place but now the swamp is loaded with invasive deadly creatures. Also they are about to release millions of genetically modified mosquitos in Florida and Texas.
Millions of Ca. N.J. NYC have and still are moving here so our water,environment is full of crap literily.Florida is situated on a swamp,not much fresh water and pollutants don't dissolve quick.
IOWs we are screwed down here.

Fact check: Genetically modified mosquitoes are cleared for release in the US

 

[Bacpacker]

Hiwall has a good point in most eastern areas are too populated. Even true here in the mountains of East Tn/ Western NC. But the huge advantage is the available water, 40-60" of rain per year on average. Normally 4 full seasons. I love it here.
Other areas I'd consider are Idaho and Alaska, but I'm too old to have to go thru a full learning curve of a total different region.

 

[ssonb]

Does the state of Panic count??

 

[Weedygarden]

On the flip side of your question, Meerkat, which states are the most dangerous?

 

[Duncan]

On the flip side of your question, Meerkat, which states are the most dangerous?

My guess would be Hawai'i; followed by any state (Washington to California, Maine to Louisiana) which border on the Pacific, Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico; Texas; and Alaska.

• Alaska and Hawai'i, because they have a very high cost of living and depend on the contiguous 48 or other countries for a lot of their basics like food, fuel, machinery, etc.
• West Coast states, because of their packed and populous cities and their location in geologically active subduction zones
• East Coast states because of their population densities;
• Texas, because of its population centers and especially the cities like Galveston and others from hurricanes, and Houston, because it's sitting on top of probably the largest and most dangerous petroleum volcano in the world.

Obviously each of these states have some areas and some populations which would be more likely to survive than the city dwellers, but IMNHO, I wouldn't want to move to any of those states if I were concerned about major infrastructure disruptions, wars, riots, etc.

 

[Weedygarden]

My guess would be Hawai'i, followed by any state (Washington to California, Maine to Louisiana) which border on the Pacific, Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico, Texas, and Alaska.

• Alaska and Hawaii, because they have a very high cost of living and depend on the contiguous 48 or other countries for a lot of their basics like food, fuel, machinery, etc.
• West Coast states, because of their packed and populous cities and their location in geologically active subduction zones
• East Coast states because of their population densities;
• Texas, because of its population centers and especially the cities like Galveston and others from hurricanes, and Houston, because it's sitting on top of probably the largest and most dangerous petroleum volcano in the world.

Obviously each of these states have some areas and some populations which would be more likely to survive than the city dwellers, but IMNHO, I wouldn't want to move to any of those states if I were concerned about major infrastructure disruptions, wars, riots, etc.

Many preppers live in Texas. Maybe, it seems that way because it is such a large state.

I think that every state has its challenges, be it political situation, weather and storms, terrain, temperature, soil conditions for growing, population, man made problems such as nuclear plants, earthquakes. I once thought about doing a spreadsheet to look at each of the factors and to give each of them a point system to determine which ones really would be safest.

When I first posted this in the former forum, many responded, "Where you live currently" or "Close to family." You can have a whole bunch of family in NYC or southern Florida, but that doesn't make it safe.

 

[Patchouli]

There is no geographical safety. Anything could happen. How is your health overall?
If you have children with you, do you know how to treat various childhood illnesses or emergencies?
Do you know how to treat for rabies? Tetanus? Allergic reactions?
@Weedygarden most of the people I know who are "church members" do have supplies and food storage. Shocking amount of food.
A lot of families move frequently and give away their supplies before going as some moving companies will not move food!
And some just don't think anything would happen.
There are a lot of preppers here (TX), but some of the worst disasters can destroy everything.
What state is safest?
If you can get lost "there", maybe "there" is a safe place.

Sheesh, Weeds, you sound like you think like I do...a spreadsheet with a point system. hahaha it's a great idea. Add lions, cougars and bears, oh my!

 

[Meerkat]

On the flip side of your question, Meerkat, which states are the most dangerous?

Weedy thats a very good question. Seems that gap is closing more every week though,Which do you think? I'll check and se too.

 

[Weedygarden]

There is no geographical safety. Anything could happen. How is your health overall?
If you have children with you, do you know how to treat various childhood illnesses or emergencies?
Do you know how to treat for rabies? Tetanus? Allergic reactions?
@Weedygarden most of the people I know who are "church members" do have supplies and food storage. Shocking amount of food.
A lot of families move frequently and give away their supplies before going as some moving companies will not move food!
And some just don't think anything would happen.
There are a lot of preppers here (TX), but some of the worst disasters can destroy everything.
What state is safest?
If you can get lost "there", maybe "there" is a safe place.

Sheesh, Weeds, you sound like you think like I do...a spreadsheet with a point system. hahaha it's a great idea. Add lions, cougars and bears, oh my!

Patchouli, I believe that when I lived in North Dakota, many church members were well prepared, but what do I know? I knew one family that said they didn't have any room in their mobile home for food storage. They probably didn't. I knew another woman who never cooked, so no food storage. Their home life was sandwiches and what came pre-made in a container. My daughter had a babysitter who was LDS and she told me she always used powdered milk, mixed half with store milk. My guess this is a common thing.

There were many who belonged to a food coop that I started when I moved there. We got bulk orders once a month from Minneapolis of things like grains, canned foods, cheese, etc. We had a fresh produce aspect that was from a different source, and we had a meat source from the Black Hills, Black Hills Packing Plant, I believe.

I have many LDS friends from the food coop and from a fiber arts guild that was started right about the time I moved there. I also worked with many LDS members.

 

[Meerkat]

Patchouli, I believe that when I lived in North Dakota, many church members were well prepared, but what do I know? I knew one family that said they didn't have any room in their mobile home for food storage. They probably didn't. I knew another woman who never cooked, so no food storage. Their home life was sandwiches and what came pre-made in a container. My daughter had a babysitter who was LDS and she told me she always used powdered milk, mixed half with store milk. My guess this is a common thing.

There were many who belonged to a food coop that I started when I moved there. We got bulk orders once a month from Minneapolis of things like grains, canned foods, cheese, etc. We had a fresh produce aspect that was from a different source, and we had a meat source from the Black Hills, Black Hills Packing Plant, I believe.

I have many LDS friends from the food coop and from a fiber arts guild that was started right about the time I moved there. I also worked with many LDS members.

Are they still open or around,the food coop?

 

[Weedygarden]

Weedy thats a very good question. Seems that gap is closing more every week though,Which do you think? I'll check and se too.

As has already been mentioned, East and West Coast, large cities like Chicago, Cleveland, St. Louis, Kansas City, Houston, L.A., San Francisco bay area, Seattle, Portland, Denver, Phoenix. I do believe that the plains states will be safer, but not 100%. Wherever it gets really cold in the winter, will drive out the do-littles and do-nothings. Wherever people will have to work for their food will be safer, unless there are some rogue folks who hit and run.

 

[Weedygarden]

Are they still open or around,the food coop?

I do not think so. There are food coops in many places. Minneapolis has a food coop network that is probably the best in the nation. Many places have had food coops, but they are gone now. I know that Denver had one, long before I moved to Colorado, but I know it was gone before I got here.

Food coops are great. Buying in bulk from farmers is a great way to reduce costs and to develop good supplies of basics. When I lived in Kansas City, we had a grain coop where we bought wheat in 50 pound bags. We took turns making bread. Our neighbors had a grain grinder that they generously allowed us to use.

Any of us, with other like-minded people, could start a food coop or buying club, if we know people who are also interested.

 

[Amish Heart]

I read online on the Kansas newspaper in our community that they were giving away weekly free from the farm boxes for the month of June. Giving away lots of produce boxes. They looked pretty good. I know the farmers bring their excess to Mennonite Manor all the time. Residents that have apartments, and employees can take whatever they want. Someone brought in boxes and boxes of fresh tomatoes last summer when I was there.

 

[rusty]

We have been discussing this for several years. We are going to stay here in south Missouri. Sparely populated and full of people who believe in the 2nd. When they had a protest here, locals guarded the businesses. Our sheriff says if you can legally carry, you should carry. He has also made it plain, he will not enforce any law that violates the 2nd. A couple of the local churches have been handing out boxes of meat and fresh veggies to anyone who wants them.

 

[rusty]

Oh, and we have the Church of Israel just east of us. Look them up sometime. I did some work in their compound. It can be a little scary.

 

[Meerkat]

As has already been mentioned, East and West Coast, large cities like Chicago, Cleveland, St. Louis, Kansas City, Houston, L.A., San Francisco bay area, Seattle, Portland, Denver, Phoenix. I do believe that the plains states will be safer, but not 100%. Wherever it gets really cold in the winter, will drive out the do-littles and do-nothings. Wherever people will have to work for their food will be safer, unless there are some rogue folks who hit and run.

Seems like the only good places to live now are cold climates and people like me from the warmer areas don't do well or have problems getting use to the cold.
But if I were younger I'd certainly think serious about the move.

 

[Weedygarden]

Oh, and we have the Church of Israel just east of us. Look them up sometime. I did some work in their compound. It can be a little scary.

Those religious sects always seem to have a narcissistic and charismatic leader who can get their followers to do anything, including drinking poisonous koolaid.

 

[Meerkat]

Those religious sects always seem to have a narcissistic and charismatic leader who can get their followers to do anything, including drinking poisonous koolaid.

So true. I was wondering on the states or areas not to go to if Islamic camps should also be on the list to investigate.
We use to keep up with them about 18 years ago, Had a map of all the then known militant training camps in America. Don't know what I didi with it, but at the time there were over 1500. One of the most famous is in upstate NY.But West Virginia also has quite a few. So does the southern states.

 

[phideaux]

I don't know that there is a safest State.
I feel like where I'm at right now is the safest place for me.

Why...
I'm surrounded by 1000s of fighting , redneck good ole boys, that can absolutely defend their territory. Believe me these guys don't run , and they know how to fight.

I'm right smack in the middle of 100 miles in every direction of these guys.
They look after each other, neighbors , friends, and family. Kinda like the same as antifa , only they don't go around showing off .

I'm good right here in backwoods of West KY.

Jim