Emily B. is a resident of Asheville, North Carolina who shares a house with her partner Matt in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
On September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene dumped over 17 inches of rain on the area.
Emily woke up to no electricity, no running water, no cell signal.
Asheville went 53 days without running water.
She had to haul creek water by hand just to flush her toilet.
Emily started labeling buckets around her house — “flush,” “tap water not filtered,” and “drinkable” — to keep everyone from accidentally consuming contaminated water.
Emily told PBS NewsHour that she didn’t know anyone in the community who was ready for what happened.
She learned in a matter of hours just how many things she depended on that could vanish without warning.
This shows us why understanding what vanishes during a long-term disaster matters.
Most people assume a disaster means losing power for a few hours, maybe a day, two at most.
But a true long-term crisis strips away illusions and lays bare the holes in your preparedness plans.
This is what you need to know about the six things most likely to disappear when things go wrong for an extended period.
No running water:
This hits hardest and fastest.
When the water system goes down, it is not just about drinking water.
You also lose ability to wash dishes, take a shower, flush your toilet, and handle basic sanitation.
Most families are not prepared to manage their water needs manually for even a few days, let alone weeks.
No electricity:
A 2023 study found that if a multi-day blackout hit Phoenix during a heat wave, nearly half the population would require emergency room care.
When the grid goes down, you forfeit refrigeration, climate control, lighting, and the ability to charge devices.
Frozen food starts spoiling within hours.
Medications that require cold storage become useless.
No internet or communication:
When cell towers go down and internet service drops, you are disconnected from the world.
You cannot look up information, contact family, or receive emergency updates.
No texts. No calls. No social media.
No electronic payments:
When the grid goes down, debit and charge cards quit working. ATMs go dark. Mobile payment apps are useless.
If you do not have small bills on hand, you cannot secure anything.
No public services:
During extended disruptions, emergency response times slow down dramatically.
Trash collection stops. Food inspections pause. Government offices close.
In a long-term scenario, you are essentially on your own for sanitation, safety, and basic health concerns.
No supply chain:
Grocery stores typically carry about two weeks of inventory. Once the trucks quit rolling, shelves empty within days.
Panic buying accelerates the shortage and stores are picked clean.
If you do not have your own stockpile, you are competing with everyone else for what is left.
Drawbacks to long-term disaster preparedness:
Storage space:
Stockpiling water, food, and provisions for 30 to 90 days requires room that many families might not have.
You will need to use under-bed space, closets, and garage areas creatively.
False sense of security:
Having gear on hand does not mean you are guaranteed to survive. If you have not practiced rationing water, cooking without power, or navigating without GPS, the gear alone will may not carry you through, so please practice with it.
If you are thinking about preparing for a long-term disruption, these are your top priorities.
Priority 1: Water storage and purification.
Aim for one gallon per person each day.
Start with a two-week supply and build from there.
Add a portable water filter and purification tablets to every bag you own.
Priority 2: Physical currency in small bills.
Keep a supply of ones, fives, tens, and twenties in a secure spot at your residence.
When electronic systems fail, small bills are the most flexible tool you have.
Priority 3: Communication plan.
Establish a meeting point and a contact plan with your family that does not depend on cell service.
A battery-powered or hand-crank radio should be in every household.
The reality is that most Americans are one major storm away from mortal danger because they are woefully unprepared.
To make sure you are ready for whatever comes next, you need reliable emergency gear in every location — your vehicle, your residence, and your bug out bag.
