[Kartographer]

Gas stations (most of the pumps are now digital and connect right to your bank)
Banks (all of the records are online) would not be able to process electronic transactions. ATM machines would not function to allow customers access to cash.
Utility systems (most power stations are run by computers)
Water treatment facilities (these are automated too)
Protection of personal information, including data about your finances, medical records, physical location, and academic records – everything a person would need to steal your identity
Government operations, including dangerous identifying information about federal employees or members of the military
Transportation systems (trains, subways, and planes are heavily reliant upon computers)
Traffic management systems like stoplights, crosswalks, etc.
Air traffic control
Everyday trade – most business have a computerized cash register that communicates directly with banks. Many business are also reliant on scanning bar codes for inventory control and pricing. Point-of-sale systems would be down and people would not be able to pay using credit or debit cards.
Telecommunications systems can be affected if cell towers are disabled or if the landline system were directly attacked. As more people rely on VOIP, taking down internet service would serve a dual purpose.
SMART systems could be shut down or manipulated. All of those gadgets that automate climate control, use of utilities, or appliances through SMART technology are vulnerable.

[Kartographer]

Preppers’ PING!!

The other day I was talking about how people in Greece were preparing for the crash by buying appliances and I suggested they would be better off buying a water filter for their home as FerFal pointed out during Argentinian crash the government didn't have the money to buy water treatment supplies and chemicals making even the municipal water dangerous to drink the guy just could get, but was proud of the fact that he had prepared for a crash here by buy good sturdy kitchen appliances himself.

[TexasTransplant]

***** “Water treatment facilities” *****

I live in town, this is a concern that I have yet to address. I need to install a valve so the City crap doesn’t back up into my house... the recent flooding we had did not create any problems for me but I know folks where it did...
If we have extended time of no power or flooding or a combination of the two it would be a catastrophe that would render the house unusable and contaminate preps.

Won’t be cheap but I WANT the ability to close off that sewage line (we have a Mortuary right behind us and that just adds to the yuck factor)

[4Liberty]

Bump!

[BenLurkin]

ping

[NTHockey]

Power tools - all those nice things that make life easier won’t work. Invest in hand powered tools. All my power tools, except chain saw, have manual backups.

[tbw2]

A couple of solutions:
* a month’s expenses in cash at home to pay for things when the financial network is down
* at least a month’s necessities in the house so you don’t have to pay for most things when the financial network is down
* pay ahead on all utilities and regular bills so you don’t have to worry about being unable to pay the utilities if the financial network is down
* personal generator, fuel on site to run it, or renewable power and batteries
* maintain a landline and/or multiple cell phones
* have a way to earn money that doesn’t require telecommuting/blogging/online sales and gets you paid without relying on a direct deposit