RedClay: “How about a list of circumstances for when it’s time to bug out. I’m amazed on prepper discussion boards about bugging out, at how many people are going to hit the road to bug out BEFORE the crowds mob the roads. But how will people know when to bug out? What combination of signs or circumstances will one depend on, in that decision? If one waits until it’s obvious, then everyone will know & be on the roads.”
So, as you can see, this is a common question in everyone’s mind, and not unusual by any means. We have presented articles in the past to help you gauge by different sources how to prepare and when something is likely to happen. Let’s jump into this in-depth!
If You See These 14 Signs It’s Time to Bug Out
One of the problems with preparation is the desire for an exact forecast of when the end of the world is going to occur.
What you do is observe what is happening and estimate…comparing possible with probable and coming up with the best course of action…and act when you know and feel it is the time to do so.
There are keys to show you that everything is going down. The more that occur simultaneously, the higher the probability that it’s time to get out of town. Let’s list some of them (and some of these may surprise you):
- A complete collapse of the markets (a lagging indicator, but hitting rock bottom is a sign that it is gone), to include the Baltic Dry Index, and all commodities markets.
- The President, Vice-President, and members of Congress and the Pentagon “disappear” very suddenly and noticeably.
- National Guard and Active Duty troops and vehicles are out on the highways all of a sudden, moving out of cities and off of military establishments.
- A nationwide bank “holiday” for all banks occurs, with all accounts frozen…this would be very bad.
- Foreign military forces on the move either in the vicinity of or to the United States
- Outright declaration of either hostilities or an emergency condition by the MSM (mainstream media)
- Over a course of time: key members of industry, banking, and the government take “extended vacations” and disappear from the public eye.
- Sudden shortages or halts in the shipments of food, medicines, fuel, or any other necessary item…without any warning. Think Venezuela.
- Heavy troop and police movements and coordinating activities in major metropolitan areas
- Hospitals tasked with any kind of mass-casualty emergency preparations
- Numbers 1-10 happening simultaneously in foreign nations along with the U.S.
- Increased police and military checkpoints and restrictions on travel domestically or internationally
- Decoupling of financial markets and banks overseas and in foreign nations.
- Recall of any and all ambassadors and staff back to the United States on short notice.
We have mentioned a list of things here, but the list is not extensive. I moved to Montana years ago and have taken necessary steps that my preparations are now in place. This is key: to accomplish these objectives long before any of those listed items materialize, as those are “late” signs that something will occur.
If people all paid attention to things, then perhaps we would have a Civil Defense system in place. The truth of the matter, to respectfully address our reader’s concerns, is that even at the penultimate moment of truth, most will ignore the signs. It’s not that everyone cannot be saved or alerted: it is that they will not pay attention to the signs even when it’s all coming down around them.
Best advice: have your plans in place long before all of this happens, be prepared to depend on yourself and your family alone, prepare today as if disaster will strike tomorrow, and don’t let anyone know your business. Keep in that good fight. JJ out!
Additional Reading Material:
How To Create a Coordinated Bug Out Plan
The Prepper’s Blueprint: The Step-By-Step Guide To Help You Through Any Disaster
The Prepper’s Conundrum: To Bug in or Bug Out? Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
What If Your Preparedness Plan Isn’t As Sound As You Think
Bugging Out: Preparing Multiple Escape Routes and Vehicles for a Major Emergency
Every Prepper Should Have Multiple Bug-Out-Bags. Here’s Why.
JJ just as you stated, if these things come to pass it’s already to late hence; Tight 360 24/7 ~ God bless!
This article should have been titled as, When you see these 14 Signs it is Already to Late to Bug Out.
Once again old JJ misses the mark.
Once again, a troll speaks. There should be a piece on those (such as you) who contribute nothing but skepticism…the true reason the country is in trouble.
So, do you work for “Media Matters,” for Soros, or are you just a naysaying liberal posing as a conservative? Go bother others at another site.
The only “mark” missed is the one that marks you as a troll and a non-productive product-consumer.
How much are you paid to post your phony comments, by the way? Frustrated writer who couldn’t become published? Or just a loser looking for a “cause” to fill the empty, non-productive existence you lead?
Drop Dead,
CSM Will Danner
U.S. Army Special Forces (Ret.)
F off
I am not a troll
Having to list your credentials speaks volumes about your insecurities.
Been reading articles by “JJ” for years now….I can tell it is him by the first sentence, always doom and gloom. anybody with a shred of common sense can read what is happening around them long before you get to “14 things”…..
Don’t wait to get confirmation that gooberment heads are heading to the bunkers – the word will already be out and spread to the country’s VIPs, powerbrokers, celebs and Richie Riches …
keep an eye on the $$$$$$ elite vacationing and weekend joints – their private jets will be stacking up at the jet ports totally out of season – the roads leading to Big Bear and the Hamptons will be filled with BMWs and Mercedes ….
watch the entertainment and talk circuit – if you start seeing skads of show cancellations during a serious riffle – good chance their security types got the word from one of their elite fighting buddies that’s still tapped into the military ….
Dont worry, Trump is MAGA!!!!!!!
Came to same the same thing. This is the sort of clickbait articles that divides people. If the SHTF for real the last thing you want to be doing is wandering the roads and land looking for what? mythical food to live off of in 30 degree weather??
The key to true survival is joining with friends and neighbors and work in a cooperative way to bring each person’s talents and abilities to the front. Working together, not Ramboing out into nation where you will be “sitting ducks.”
Per the bugging out (as opposed to bugging in), I would think JJ was assuming you already had a place to go. Otherwise, don’t go. The question is WHEN do you go if you have someplace planned out to go to. It’s not a call to run screaming into the woods.
I don’t have a remote BOL. Since I already live in my BOL, the signs listed above would indicate that it’s time to bolt on the plywood shutters and other defensive measures.
Anybody that comes along won’t have any stuff, or they would be home. Definitely, you come to steal from me and I won’t allow it.
ROFLMAO at all of your big talk.
While I agree with all these possibilities, there are 3 that aren’t listed. And if they happen all of the other events are mote. My main list are:
1. The sudden loss of electric power.
2. No cell phone service
3. Modern cars won’t start.
If these three things happen, you won’t hear about those other items. That is, unless you have a ham radio.
I’m doing the same, it’s far easier to protect yourself and family in your house than out in a cabin .If you want I can give you some tips. The truth is other preppers are mistrustful of others and rightfully so. Sure I’d like to buy a camper or mobile home, but I can’t afford them. So I do what I can and know that I’ll be okay.
FOURTEEN? Is the average person even pay attention if three things happen?
Good list of things to be concerned about. Some of these are already happening and others are just around the corner. What would by your practical advice to someone who is a fairly recent prepper or a non prepper in view of current situations? Thanks.
Hi JoEllen,
Congrats on making the choice to get prepared. Because the subject of preparedness is so vast, you want to check out my 52-Weeks to Preparedness series. It breaks the subjects of preparedness up and helps you prepare on a week-by-week level. This helps you not get overwhelmed by the enormity of getting prepped. I have also provided shopping lists and action lists for skills development. Here is the link: https://readynutrition.com/resources/52-weeks-to-preparedness-an-introduction_19072011/.
Best of Luck!
Tess
P.S. If you have any questions, please contact me and I will try and help you any way that I can. 🙂
Thanks for your response. I have bookmarked the articles and placed 1 a week on my calendar for Monday mornings.
JoEllen, great! If you need any more assistance, please let me know!
Tess