It seems that a whole lot of people will die.
In this work of fiction (but very well researched and based on much fact), 90% of the US dies in an EMP attack.
In the history of even modern natural disaster, there are "waves of die offs."
The elderly, the sick, many children, and those dependent on medication or intense care die first.
“It seems that a whole lot of people will die.”
Yeah. I think that’s why they call it SHTF.
But it is something that people don’t think about. Things CAN (and will) get bad. Even for localized events (wildfires, earthquakes, tornados, etc.) it can take a long time for first responders to get there, and to make any progress. I know we like to blame someone (Bush with Katrina, not enough fire-fighters, etc.) - but normal society isn’t able to handle abnormal events without some time delay.
Of course for a widespread event (Ebola, several terroist nukes, EMP, etc.) that will take much longer to get a handle on.