"Cut off the electricity and water for three days in one area of the country and we descend into chaos."
"They said Americans need to be prepared mentally, emotionally, etc. for what hardships we might need to endure if major emergencies happen -- coping without TV and computers for extended periods of time, maybe days or weeks"
Chaos was Miami last Friday as 770,000 customers out of 900,000 in the county were left without power. No lights, no traffic control, no groceries,no fast food and at my house no AC, no refrigeration for my food.(Cooking was still there due to gas). We got updates via battery operated radio and TV, which we used sparingly. At night, my son and I played board games by the candlelight. A PC was really the least of my worries. I was more worried for my elderly parents who were sweltering in the 93 degree heat. Andrew taught me that one can live without power, we did for a month a half. You get creative, as I even learned to bake potatoes on a grill..
Loss of power is nothing compared to the loss of a house and all of your belongings as we are seeing in the Gulf...
Know what you mean. When I lived for awhile in the mountains, I got snowed in for 4 days one winter by myself --- had no electricity, just little heat from a gas wall heater, the nearest person was about 10 acres down the road from me.
I read alot, sat outside with my dogs and cats. Fortunately, I had stored up enough food, so that was no problem. The snow was beautiful, and the woods all around were quiet as could be.
Really an experience. After a few days I was ready to see someone in person!