West Virginia preppers face lots of the similar threats as anybody else in America: civil collapse, EMP, pure disasters, and so on. Nonetheless, West Virginians have distinctive challenges than preppers in different states. What is smart for a prepper in Alaska could not make sense for a prepper in Idaho.
This is applicable to West Virginia as effectively. This text will give attention to West Virginia from a prepper’s perspective. What particular challenges does the state face from a historic perspective? What are the threats given the state’s geography? The place ought to West Virginians prioritize their preps?
NOTE: Do you reside in West Virginia? your state, so tell us within the feedback part how this text will be improved. What did we miss? What did we get proper?
West Virginia Overview – Prepper’s Perspective
Situated within the distant, rugged Appalachian area of the southern United States, West Virginia stands because the unsung haven for preppers, survivalist, and folks that merely wish to get away. Although it’s thought-about a part of the center Atlantic States, this area stands out by itself. West Virginia is the thirty eighth most populous state, however the forty first most intensive. The result’s a sparsely populated, mountainous area that garners little concern or consideration by the remainder of the nation. It’s centrally positioned and borders 5 states, Maryland, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Ohio.
The state has a number of nicknames, however the “Mountain State” stands out amongst the remainder. West Virginia’s mountainous terrain earns it this moniker, however drastically mischaracterizes the state as being nothing however mountains. Nonetheless, individuals shall be stunned to seek out out that West Virginia has a reasonably distinguished and progressive historical past. It was the primary state to supply education to African American college students, the primary to prepare a golf membership and the primary to structure brick streets. Moreover it was additionally the state to make use of promoting and to introduce a gross sales tax.
For those who crave pure magnificence, they need to look no additional than the mountainous terrain West Virginia has to supply. Nature lovers shall be thrilled with expansive forests just like the Monongahela with its pristine mountain gorges. The New River Gorge will stun those who have by no means stood in it and marveled on the untouched magnificence it presents. Looking and fishing alongside the Elk, Ohio, and Potomac rivers is second to none.
Nonetheless, the untouched pure magnificence comes at a reasonably substantial financial price. The state is among the many 10 poorest states within the US. This may increasingly additionally illuminate why it additionally ranks within the backside 10 states for instructional attainment. Solely 83% of residents earn highschool diplomas and a dismal 18% maintain bachelor’s levels. The state is a wonderful location for somebody that cares nothing for materials wealth, however would relatively make investments closely in experiencing the pure wealth that the rugged Appalachian Mountains have to supply.
Local weather
Once you consider mountains and their local weather, you image snowy peaks and frigid rivers snaking round heat cabins. Regardless of the mountainous terrain that West Virginia is made up of, this might not be farther from the reality. The state’s local weather is a damp subtropical one that may seemingly lead to way more sweat than shivers. Winter common temperatures solely vary from 26 levels F close to the Cheat River to 41 levels F alongside the border with Kentucky. With this relatively excessive winter temperature, the best winter cabin retreat is probably going not a actuality in West Virginia.
Nonetheless, reasonable summers are a definite chance. Summer season temperatures vary from 67 levels F to 76 levels F creating an atmosphere that’s removed from sizzling. With temperatures like this, dwelling a reasonably frugal existence with low power calls for is effectively with the realm of potentialities. With a range for the occasional winter chilly and an open window on the facet a mountain, West Virginia is extraordinarily livable with little power consumption.
Precipitation, nonetheless, will be pretty substantial. As we are going to quickly see, the rainfall together with the rivers and the stony floor can wreck absolute havoc throughout West Virginia. Annual common precipitation ranges from 32 inches within the decrease jap part to 56 inches in increased components of the state. Snowfall makes up round 34 inches of that precipitation yearly, however is basically concentrated within the higher elevations.
Meals and Water
West Virginia is the house of the small farm. Greater than some other state, West Virginia provides alternatives for these eager to have the small farm life expertise. The state has roughly 23,000 farms that common 157 acres. In an period when the massive manufacturing unit farm is the norm, that is actually one thing distinctive. In case your aim is to have a homestead you can stay and work on, West Virginia stands out as the location for you.
Surprisingly, the state’s prime agricultural commodity isn’t any form of row crop, however broiler chickens. Their manufacturing makes up a disproportional 30% of its agricultural receipts. The steadiness is made up of different merchandise together with dairy, turkeys, rooster eggs, hogs, and lambs. This isn’t to say that the state produces no row crops. Quite the opposite it has a wholesome manufacturing of hay, apples, corn, soybeans, peaches, and honey. In sure components of the state even farm-raised fish are a profitable enterprise.
Ingesting water just isn’t a problem in West Virginia. The state has a number of giant rivers which might be utilized to fill reservoirs. These giant our bodies of water are used to offer consuming water to the residents of the state. Moreover, they’re the first methodology to regulate flooding.
Politics
West Virginia is a well-known conservative stronghold. For now, that appears to carry true via the assorted election cycles. Nonetheless, as time progresses the extra reasonable liberal wing of political thought appears to be taking maintain in inhabitants facilities throughout the state. Whereas it’s removed from over turning the conservative management of the state, almost a 3rd of the state are registered Democrats. That is largely a operate of attempting to counter the coal firms maintain on the state as evidenced by giant pockets of democratic voters within the coal fields throughout the state.
Regardless of the political stress just under the floor, the state stays firmly in Republican management. The state’s governor and one in all its senators are members of the Republican Social gathering. This political dynamic appears unlikely to go anyplace if issues persist. Nonetheless, their maintain just isn’t a forgone conclusion. Every election cycle demonstrates the persevering with wrestle that the Republicans have in sustaining management of the federal government.
In demonstrating the political stress of the state, the opposite senator of West Virginia is a member of the Democratic get together. This results in the 2 senators of the state being regularly in opposition to 1 one other. It additional demonstrates the undercurrent of Democratic momentum in a state that’s largely considered conservative. Given the break up tensions between the 2 events, a climate eye should stay on the politics of the state if political battle is of any concern to the prepper.
Inhabitants
The entire inhabitants of the state is a really small 1.7 million individuals. This inhabitants is almost evenly break up between ladies (50.6%) and males (49.4%). When you think about that downtown Manhattan has almost 8 million individuals in just some metropolis blocks, it’s fascinating that a whole state has lower than two million individuals. This reveals the chance for isolation for the prepper.
West Virginia’s median age is a bit older at 45 years. The ideological and non secular make-up is staunchly Christian as they make up 78.6% of the state. That is largely a legacy of the Nice Awakening actions that took over the Appalachian area like wildfire a century in the past. At present, the inhabitants carries on this custom, but it surely appears to be waning as time goes on.
The state doesn’t have a sturdy racial make-up. The overwhelming majority of the inhabitants are white evangelicals. Most Native Individuals have been gone from the realm for the reason that Tyler and Jackson administrations forcibly eliminated them almost 200 years in the past. As an early abolitionist state, there was by no means a big African inhabitants within the state. The present racial make-up of West Virginia is as follows:
- White 92%
- Black 3.6%
- Two or Extra Races 1.8%
- Hispanic 1.6%
- Asian 0.8%
- Native American 0.2%
Crime
The crime price of West Virginia is nothing to get enthusiastic about. It’s neither terribly unhealthy nor good. For those who’re a resident of West Virginia, your possibilities of changing into the sufferer of a violent crime are 1 in 282. The homicide price is similar because the nationwide common at 0.07 per 1000 individuals. You’re no extra more likely to be a sufferer of violent crime in West Virginia than in anyplace else within the nation.
West Virginia can be a spot that’s largely protected from property crime. The theft price is beneath the nationwide common and your possibilities of changing into the sufferer of a property crime are 1 in 72. Moreover, the state’s housebreaking, theft, and motorcar theft charges are beneath the nationwide common. That is despite the low financial output of the state and may largely be defined by the low inhabitants of West Virginia. Briefly, there simply are so few individuals there that crime is much less of a problem than it’s elsewhere.
West Virginia Pure Disasters
1) The Layland Mine Explosion (1915) – For a few years, coal mining was the principle export of West Virginia. Nonetheless, with mining comes inherit risks. In 1915, lots of the security protocols, processes, and programs have been but to be applied. On the Layland Mine, this got here dwelling to roost. An explosion inside the mine killed 114 individuals. Whereas that is tragic, it’s much more so when you think about that not everybody died instantly. Most of the males died from suffocation as rescue efforts have been underway.
2) The Hawk’s Nest Tunnel Catastrophe (1927) – In one other, much less dramatic however ever nonetheless tragic, mining catastrophe, The Hawk’s Nest Tunnel mine claimed the lives of many West Virginia miners. Despatched into mine silica, not one of the miners have been outfitted with any type of respiration safety. In sudden shock and shock to the mining neighborhood and state, they rapidly developed lung ailments. The top demise toll was 476 useless in consequence.
3) The Shinnston Twister (1944) – Although they’re uncommon, tornados nonetheless strike West Virginia sometimes. In 1944 one of the lethal tornados the state has ever seen ripped via the city of Shinnston. Inside simply two minutes of touring via the city, this 1000’ broad twister killed 153, injured 800, and wrecked 400 houses. The twister stays astonishing to at the present time contemplating the brevity of its life and the destruction it left behind.
4) The Silver Bridge Collapse – In 1967, tragedy struck West Virginia. An engineering marvel of a bridge turned in opposition to them and claimed the lives of a number of residents. A complete of 46 individuals died in West Virginia at the present time after a well-traveled bridge collapsed into the river beneath. Between drownings and the final destruction, this occasion proved to be one of many darkest days in West Virginia’s historical past for the continuing twenty years.
5) The Farmington Mine Catastrophe – In 1968 a freak explosion killed 78 miners. To at the present time, nobody has been capable of uncover what brought about the explosion. It’s anticipated that insufficient air flow was the first trigger. When the miners launched a big methane gasoline pocket, there was no the place for it to go. It was solely a matter of time earlier than one thing sparked the explosion. Substantial authorities laws was enacted because of this occasion.
6) Marshall College Airplane Crash (1970) – Depicted within the film, “We Are Marshall”, over 40 faculty college students have been killed – most of them being faculty soccer gamers – after their group aircraft crashed right into a hill in West Virginia. It was decided {that a} mixture of terrain, climate, plane load, and pilot error resulted within the lethal crash that marred the hearts and recollections of West Virginia that November day.
7) The Buffalo Creek Dam Break– In 1972 a coal slurry impoundment burst, sending tens of millions of gallons down into the Buffalo Creek. Whereas this was a light inconvenience, the sudden rush of water brought about the Buffalo Creek Dam to burst. When it did, 125 have been killed within the continuing tidal wave that engulfed the valley. On the finish of the occasion 4000 have been left homeless and over 500 houses have been destroyed.
8) The Willow Island Catastrophe – In 1978 a cooling tower that was beneath building collapsed killing 51 building staff. As building staff raised buckets of concrete up the tower, the crane doing the lifting fell contained in the tower on account of being off steadiness. Because it fell it began a series response of yesterday’s building collapsing onto the scaffolding. When the occasion occurred those that have been on the scaffolding engaged on the tower on the time had no escape. The occasion would go on to develop into often known as the deadliest building accident in US historical past.
9) The Higher Large Department Mine Catastrophe –Most of the mine disasters that plague West Virginia are a long time outdated. Nonetheless, in 2010 an explosion inside a coal mine right here killed 29 miners bringing a mine catastrophe into trendy occasions. When the investigation proceeded, it was proven that the mine in query had a collection of security regulation violations over time. The explosion got here as no shock to those who have been intimately accustomed to the mine’s lack of concern for security.
10) Aqua-pocalypse – In them most up-to-date of West Virginia’s mining disasters, 1000’s of gallons of a chemical often known as MCHM – utilized in coal washing – have been spilled into the Elk River. This resulted in no one having the ability to drink the water in giant components of West Virginia for days to weeks. Within the worst case state of affairs many individuals ended up within the emergency room after being abruptly poisoned by their very own faucet water.
West Virginia Prepping Challenges
West Virginia’s commonest pure disasters are floods, winter storms, extreme storms, landslides, and wildfires. Nonetheless, although these exist, they aren’t almost as lethal or dramatic because the artifical disasters that appear to plague the state. West Virginia has a protracted historical past of human failures inflicting ache, distress, and demise. The result’s miners getting injured, engineering failures, and water being undrinkable and harmful. I extremely advocate getting your water storage and filtration programs in place in the event you’re going to stay right here.
West Virginia Prepping Methods
Many disasters might befall a prepper in West Virginia, however just a few are more likely to lead to severe harm and demise. Probably the most harmful factor, by far, within the state is the mining trade. Subsequently, most of your actions as a prepper will seemingly should be centered on coping with a possible failure on their half.
Bugging In
Water Storage
If you’re compelled to bug in throughout a catastrophe in West Virginia, it’s extremely seemingly that water shall be concerned. Regardless of whether it is the results of a flood from a rattling breaking or the contamination of your native water provide, having an abundance of fresh water close by shall be an absolute should on prime of the means to filter water at dwelling.
Utilizing meals grade containers to retailer a minimum of 8 gallons of water per particular person monthly. Meaning a 6 month provide of water for a household of 4 is simply in need of 200 gallons of water. Whereas this feels like quite a bit, it’s only 4 55-gallon meals grade drums stuffed with water for half a yr. Don’t be caught through the subsequent MCHM spill with none water.
Water Filtration
Whereas having water saved is nice, getting the water into your storage system filtered is completely important on this a part of the world. Having a filtration system put in into your home will seemingly forestall unintended ingestion of chemical substances throughout a spill, however will even forestall rouge cancers attributable to hint chemical substances which might be injected into the water provide by mining operations. Having one put in in your home is the best, however ought to be strengthened by smaller water filters to make use of at dwelling in a disaster.
Keep Out of the Valleys
West Virginia has quite a lot of water and is made up of extraordinarily rocky floor. It is a recipe for a flash flood of epic proportions. The one approach you may actually mitigate this danger is by giving the water a large berth to swell and go down with out taking your private home with it. Subsequently, whenever you buy a house or plot of land, undergo the mountain roads and get effectively away from the tempting river valleys and delightful creeks. Whereas picturesque, they are often lethal beneath the appropriate situations.
Bugging Out
Some of the necessary items of kit for any prepper planning to bug out is to have first rate maps of their state. Having an recognized bug out location is essential. All preppers in any state ought to start their bug out plans with a paper map of their state. Nothing is best for all-purpose use than the DeLorme Atlas and Gazetteer.
Keep out of Mines
Mining operations have been occurring within the Appalachian Mountains for effectively over 100 years. In that point a legion of mines have been began, mined, and deserted. Throughout a bug out state of affairs it is going to be tempting to enterprise into the mines to hunt shelter and solitude. You could not do that.
Mines are inherently harmful when they’re occupied and effectively maintained. As soon as they’ve arrange for a time and been topic to the ebbs and flows of time, they develop into outright lethal. Keep effectively away from outdated mines as you search security. The one exception to this may be in the event you want a fallout shelter and haven’t constructed one from Chilly Conflict period designs.
Correct Rain Gear
West Virginia is a stupendous, heat, and moist place. Nonetheless, hypothermia can strike with temperatures effectively into the 70s. Subsequently, as you progress via the mountains you will need to keep dry in a state that produces a considerable quantity of rain. A very good hat, jacket, and gaiters are important parts to sustaining dry heat and staving off hypothermia and discomfort. Have a look at utilizing merino wool as a base layer as effectively to stop warmth loss as you get moist on the transfer.
Get a .22 Rifle
This state is overrun with wildlife and there may be merely no cause why you need to go hungry. As you bug out, a easy .22LR will allow you to reap recreation and preserve your self fed. The .22 is light-weight, versatile, and efficient in the appropriate palms. Although many legal guidelines forbid their use for various types of searching, throughout a bug out state of affairs they could possibly be used to feed a household with ease. They’ll even kill a deer in superb circumstances.
Additional Studying For West Virginia Preppers
This text simply scratches the floor of what West Virginia preppers must know. The next hyperlinks might held educate you extra on prepping within the state.
West Virginia Emergency Administration – West Virginia’s authorities catastrophe response web page full with data, sources and coaching.
West Virginia Flood Mapping Instrument – Flood consciousness device that tracks what areas are flooded and what areas are protected in actual time.
Appalachian Forrest Farmer Coalition – Energetic, non-public Fb group centered round dwelling off the land in West Virginia.
Appalachian Forrest Farmers – Thriving coalition of folks that search to stay off the land in West Virginia.
Fortitude Ranch – Multi-state faculty taught by veterans with a category in West Virginia. They educate all issues prepping and survival.
North American Bushcraft Faculty -Teaches programs in homesteading, survival, and bushcraft. In a single day and day programs obtainable.
