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About “Xodus Solutions”
This chapter introduces you to the concepts of “Xodus,” what they can do to facilitate your bug-out issues and where you might go. The remainder of the book is dedicated to how you can accomplish what you want to do either alone, in a group, or at a survival retreat.
What is a prepper and what is a survivalist?
There is a difference between a prepper and a survivalist. Most people think these terms are the same thing, but there is a clear difference. Preppers prepare for event(s) by accumulating items they think will help them survive. Some of these people plan to shelter in place, and some plan to seek a safer place. But survivalism is a different story. It evokes the idea of a preoccupation with acquiring skill sets like self-defense training, gun training, first aid, booby traps, camouflage, and learning to live in the bush. However, that image has a lot to do with television programming. In actuality, those images are a far cry from what we will discuss here for the majority of survivalists. With the very wealthy all over the world participating, it is no longer valid to call survivalists a sub-culture.
Part 1. The Ways and Means of Bugging Out
Everyone has heard that “Time is Money.” In the case of any major event, however, “Time is Life” and you need to get out of town ahead of the hoards – before the accidents and traffic jams and maybe even worse. You might only be a few hours from your destination, or you could be a day or more away. Evacuate safely but do it expeditiously.
While there are many ways to “bug-out,” they all have things in common. They are:
Where to go
Transportation
Survival gear
Supplies (food, medicine, etc.)
Fuel (planned for the full length of your journey)
Predetermined destination (know this before you go)
The transportation type, survival gear, food, and destination are manageable for most people. Where you store all of these things and where you acquire and store the requisite fuels are where most people get stymied.
The answer is pre-arranged facilities for your bug-out essentials which can be conveniently located near your exit route and along your destination route. These facilities include:
Storage space
Car gas
Diesel fuel
Or even aviation gas and jet fuel at airport locations
If you plan to “Shelter in Place,” ask yourself why? Likely the answer will be that you don’t have the means to pre-arrange all the things necessary. That is understandable because few people would individually have the options discussed here. In the past, these things were not even available for consideration. Now, whether rich man or poor man, you have options. Be it a tank of gas to get to the next state or the means to get to another place on the planet, you can make a customized plan for yourself.
Image 2 IS – 468426811 Woman – empty cupboard
(Caption with this photo is: This only works until the food and water run out!)
If you live in a big city and plan to shelter in place long term, you are probably making a mistake if the event lasts more than a few days. If you live in a rural area within 150 miles of a major city and plan to shelter in place, you might be making a mistake. If you are going to shelter in place because you really, really, really know what you are doing, then good for you! But don’t make this decision based on the belief that you have no other options. At some point this could be a life-or-death decision for you and your family. Sheltering in place is only good when you can identify with confidence that the situation will be short lived. Even then you still need preparations. If the situation is that you are unable to depart quickly, before the hoards, then your shelter-in-place preparations are extremely valuable in allowing you to sit tight until the dust settles and you can make a safe exit. But make sure you still have an exit plan.
Image #3 DT 39041886 Girl pulling a suitcase
(Caption: This is not an exit plan.)
Our research has shown that after an “Event” the number one concern for any mode of exit (land, sea, or air) is the availability of fuel supply due to power outages. (The prevailing assumption appears to be that if you are mobile, you can find food, water, and shelter.) The second largest concern was for a location outside of metro areas to store or acquire fuel and supplies sufficient to reach a certain destination and thereby allowing a rapid exit from a metro area. In our study, storage facilities relative to an exit strategy were for overland departures only. Storage facilities for sea and air departures were not considered in the study. However, for non-overland exits (sea and air), refueling locations throughout the U.S. were important, and even locations in the Pacific Islands were of interest for both aircraft and sea going vessels.
Here is how it works:
All five of the following examples assume a major “Event” with no electricity for pumping fuel at conventional fueling locations which include land, sea, and air refueling locations. You too must make this assumption to be truly prepared for a successful bug-out.
Many of the ideas below can also apply to more regional disasters that may be short-term in nature.
Image # 4 MJ – Image E 1138 Pickup pulling trailer (no caption)
Exit Plans
Example 1: Exit by Private Vehicle
(This is the most likely scenario for most people.)
Let’s say you live in a city or otherwise heavily populated area and want to bug-out to a predetermined safe place that is some distance away, and you will be using your family vehicles. In this case, you will need certain items to take with you, and you will probably need secured fuel storage along your route. Xodus can provide an initial fueling and storage unit along the chosen exit route from your city. Here, you can collect your survival gear and fuel. When it comes to fuel, you can collect all you need for the entire trip or just enough to get to another secure Xodus fueling location along your route. All fuel is prepurchased and stored in bulk. (It is in your name and in the quantity you select.)
Since this section is about bugging-out overland and addresses storage issues for fuel and essential items, then you should first have a concept of what these facilities look like.
Image #5 IS - 174924155 Large storage facility (no caption)
Facility Grounds
They are designed as a large pad with good access and proper drainage. It is surrounded by a chain link fence with NATO razor wire on top. Additionally, electronic surveillance looks inward and outward and is monitored 24/7/365. Depending on the location, additional security options will be provided via commercial security companies, and/or state and local authorities as can be arranged. In some cases, there could be guards on property 24/7. Access to facilities is via a controlled gate using a pin number. All entry and exit activity are monitored and recorded. Access will be by tenants and authorized personnel only.
Inside the compound, there will be storage units (steel buildings) ranging in sizes large enough to accommodate a vehicle the size of a motor home and smaller units to store your personal essentials. An optional outdoor area will be available for parking motor homes, campers, trailers, RVs, or other related items if you so choose.
Bulk Fuel Storage
Image #6 DT – 5588843 Large fuel tanks (No caption)
Bulk fuel storage will also be located inside the fenced area. Fuel is stored in large horizontal tanks conforming to state, local and EPA containment requirements. Fuel is pumped and metered into vehicles and containers using existing commercial power if available. If the power is out, then onsite backup generators will kick in. Your pin number will identify you and allow you to pump only the volume you have prepurchased for storage. Due to insurance issues, no storage of fuel will be allowed in the enclosed personal storage areas. However, storing empty fuel containers is permitted either inside or outside depending upon the space you select. If you have the know-how and the equipment for re-dispensing, you could fill enough containers to take you all the way to your destination. You can also store fuel at any of the other “Xodus storage facilities” or at any of the Xodus “fuel only” locations along your route. Fuel will periodically be changed out to keep it fresh.
Image 7 SS – 1477827593 Smaller indoors storage (no caption)
The Storage Units
Electrical outlets can be provided for both inside and outside storage areas. Larger units will have overhead doors, and smaller units will have conventional walk-in doors.
Food and Electronics: These items require some special attention. Many manufacturers of packaged survival foods claim a shelf life of up to 25 years. That may be true, but not if they are improperly stored and subject to heat in a garage or shed. Although less sensitive, electronics are also subject to damage from long term heat exposure. They do, however, have their own unique sensitivity and that is to an EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse.)
To address these issues, Xodus has designed climate-controlled storage spaces that are offered in a variety of sizes and are primarily for the storage of long-life food stuffs. Other specialized containers will be available for electronics that require a Faraday cage. All of the above are essentially a non-movable lock box located in a larger insulated climate-controlled structure which is also locked but accessible with your pin code. This option allows you to store non-temperature sensitive items less expensively but still solve the problem of climate-controlled storage. Remember, this is not a packaged, one-size-fits-all proposition. All users will be able to select the individual components required for their personal storage needs. Some of you may want to store food and electronic items at home. It’s all up to you.
The above options allow you to store your fuel and supplies along your exit route, which means you can exit your metro area rapidly, then pick up your supplies and keep going.
Image #8 SS – 335552336 Small Planes (no caption)
Example 2: Exit by Private or Charter Aircraft
In this case you have a private aircraft or charter aircraft you plan to use. This is not restricted to the continental United States. Both jet fuel and av-gas can be made available where needed.
All fuel is prepurchased and stored in bulk in your name and in the quantity you select.
I know of a man that has his own small airplane and lives in the southeastern part of the country. His bug-out plan is to fly his family to Montana where he has a prepared and well stocked dwelling. This journey will require a number of refueling stops, so he has rented aircraft-hanger space at a couple of small airports strategic to his needs and has each of them stocked with aviation gas. We say, “Good for him.” But think of the expense for such an endeavor!
This story really epitomizes the need for a better solution for aircraft owners or those thinking about using a charter aircraft to bug-out. The following are two scenarios, one for aircraft owners and one for those who would consider an aircraft charter.
Aircraft Owners
This is not just about a small plane going cross country. In fact, it is about going anywhere that requires a refueling stop. You may be going to Montana, or you may be going to New Zealand, but in many cases, you will need to refuel. We can have aviation gas and jet fuel at strategic airports for you. (Both over the wing and single point refueling if required.) And just so you know, yes, we understand mechanicals, alternates, and granny fuel. Those things and more will be taken into consideration. In some cases, you would have to do your own fuel handling using the pin code system. (Many smaller airports will be used.)
Chartering your Bug-Out Aircraft
This idea does not have to be as fancy as it appears at face value. What if you are in or near a metro area and there is little or perhaps absolutely no way out? If your primary objective is to “Get Out Now,” this could be the answer. Maybe you just travel a short distance such as 100 miles away. You may have nothing there, but you would now be 100 miles away from what appeared to be a life-threating situation. Or, what if that small town airport had a cheap storage unit nearby? In that case you could rent it and keep a spare vehicle and trailer loaded with your bug-out gear at that location. You may have just flown over a dozen accidents / traffic jams that otherwise might have prevented your departure for hours or days. You could do this by utilizing something as simple and affordable as a single engine aircraft. Nothing says you have to charter a private jet and fly halfway across the country. Even with no prior arrangement, if there is no other way out, at least call or drive over to your local small airport and start banging on doors.
(Don’t look at major airports for this option. Find a small airport near your location. It’s possible there is one you didn’t even know about!)
There is one big problem relative to you chartering an aircraft to reach a distant bug-out destination. The local FBO (Fixed Base Operator) that owns the aircraft you want to charter needs enough fuel to do a return trip back to home base. If you want to consider this option, you need to find a nearby air charter operator and discuss your requirements regarding the number of people and the baggage load you require. Here are some relevant questions to ask.
What type of aircraft do you need for the requirements you set forth?
· If you don’t have that equipment, can you make two or more trips?
· Do you own your own APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) and pre-heating equipment (in northern environments) to insure a start-up without relying on airport electricity or calling an outside contractor?
· How will a pilot be provided?
· What is the price?
Discuss the price to your destination and consider offering a small partial prepayment deposit to lock it in and close a contract. This can put you at the front of the line if others have the same idea. When negotiating, remember you will have already pre-paid the return trip fuel cost at your destination location.) So, the first leg is a wet price, and the second leg is a dry price. (This is explained below.)
The result you want is assurance the trip can be made. Likewise, you need to solve the FBO’s problem of where he is going to get the fuel to make the trip(s). This can be done by providing replacement fuel at his airport (or a nearby airport) or at the destination airport or both.
Of course, that is where Xodus comes in!
Image #9 IS – 1249553867 Large Airplane (No captions)
Example 3: Exit by Group-Owned Aircraft
(This is by far the least likely scenario; however, it can be done!)
In this case, an airworthy certified aircraft is purchased specifically for the intended purpose of escaping a given location. There are many variables to this option, but to satisfy your curiosity, this option will be in the range of an estimated minimum of $25,000 and up per person for the first group using the aircraft. You would also be looking at additional annual maintenance costs. However, under certain conditions, this estimate could be cut in half or more depending upon the number of and the flexibility of the total participants.
(In the case of smaller or mid-sized aircraft, you could lease it to a local charter company with the provision that it is “yours” in the case of an “Event.”)
Below you will learn how to participate in ownership of a large aircraft, and how you can do this with less money than you may think. This section is a little complex, but it is a unique concept. So hang in there.
As stated above, there are many variables to this proposition. First, let’s set this up so you have some background on the subject. Then we can do a few scenarios to clarify things.
We are not talking about junk aircraft that may or may not work. Airlines fly airplanes until they want to upgrade their fleet. At that time, they may retire an entire class or series of airplanes. For example, Boeing makes the 737 aircraft. The 737 has gone through many upgrades. An airline might have the older 737-400 and be flying those plus the 737-500, 737-600, 737-700 and want to upgrade to the 737-800 series. So, they order the 737-800 series and phase out the oldest in the fleet which is the 737-400 in this example. These are not junk. The day before they took them out of service, they were airworthy and certified. The airlines park these aircraft in the desert southwest and put them up for sale. Startup airlines will buy them as well as foreign countries. We can buy them too. Now that you have the concept, let’s do some scenarios.
It could be any metro area, but let’s pick Houston, Texas, as an example.
Scenario 1: Assume there is a group of people in the Houston area that want to go to a certain state or another country. It is a one-way trip, and they want the aircraft to stay with them in case they decide to bug-out to a yet another location at a later date. They agree to purchase the aircraft for a group bug-out, and the aircraft is located near Houston. When they do bug-out, then the aircraft would stay at their destination with them.
Scenario 2: What if the group in scenario one is content to just go to their original destination and release the aircraft. It can then return to Houston (or even another city) and pick up a second group that may want to go to a different destination. In this case the people in the second group are using the same aircraft as the first group. Therefore, they will also be contributing to the purchase price. This method could go on to a third group and maybe even a fourth group. Since the first group has the first boarding, they are the most assured of a rapid departure and it could be argued that they pay the most. But if you are in group 2, 3, or 4 this could become affordable for you. The first or second groups could even encourage this to help lower their costs, and that is how this can become affordable for many groups.
Scenario 3: In the case of large cities, this type of scenario starts to become a more realistic proposition. Let’s add yet another dimension. Again, using Houston, Texas, let’s say that people there identify themselves to Xodus and tell us where they want to go.
Further, let’s say Xodus can identify a sub-group that all want to go north. Some say they want to go to Oklahoma, some to Kansas, some to Nebraska, some to South Dakota, and some to North Dakota. In other words, all want to go north. In this case, not all people need to go to the same destination, but they all get dropped off in the region they desire.
As I said, this is probably the least likely means of bug-out, but there are many variables that can affect these scenarios and the price to participate. The more participation we have, the more airplanes there are to accomplish this style of departure. So, if you are a person living in a metro area with no car, don’t be afraid to inquire about this option. If you can get to the aircraft’s location you may be in the 3rd or 4th group, but you will be getting out of the “danger zone.” It all boils down to the amount of participation.
For those of you lucky enough to be in the elite groups around Silicon Valley, Connecticut, and other such places, you should make yourself known to us as well. It looks like there will be several other aircraft heading to New Zealand. Many of you can fly non-stop. Some can’t, but even if you can, it would be wise to inquire about our overseas refueling locations if only as alternates.
Image #10 IS – 1021092784 Sea going boat (no caption)
Example 4: Exit by Sea
We know that some people will evacuate using sea-going vessels, but from our surveys we judge it to be a relative few and most are not planning to travel a great distance. None the less, we would like to hear from you. There is a possibility that our coastal facilities might be of interest to you, and, in particular, any Pacific Island aircraft refueling facilities could double as refueling locations for sea-going vessels. (In this case the fuel would be transported from the airport fuel storage area to the dock via delivery truck.)
Image #11 SS – 1555789235 Passenger Train (no caption)
Example 5: Exit by Train
This is certainly a possibility for many people, and there are some real advantages to this strategy. In this case, you don’t have to worry about pre-planning a fuel supply. There is a chance that you could ship all or most of your supplies with you, even more than you could take in a vehicle. However, like everything else, there are considerations to take into account. First, you need to know if rail service is available all the way to your destination. If not, you need to know how you will accomplish the second leg of the journey. You also need to know the baggage / shipping rules relative to each train system you might use as well as the restrictions each railroad has on items you can carry on or ship in the baggage car. You also need to know how you plan to get all your gear to the train station. If it were me, I’d hire as many taxi cabs as needed for my family and gear. Even if it was a 100 plus mile trip to the train station.
All trains run on electricity! A subway runs directly on electricity, and it will stop when the lights go out. Passenger trains and freight trains use diesel engines to power onboard generators which produce the electricity they need. Those trains will stop as soon as the onboard diesel fuel is depleted. Without grid-electricity at the train depot to run the fuel pumps needed to refuel the train, your trip will end there. Unless, that is, all the railroads have backup generators to run their fuel pumps, and if workers are willing or able to show up to operate the facilities.
Lastly, if the impending threat comes with a warning such as a hurricane or civil unrest that is visibly building, this exit strategy might work just fine. But be packed up and ready to go; you may need to be there first or at least earlier than most others if you live in a large city where there could be tens of thousands of people trying to get on these trains.
If you must exit a city that is no longer functional, and you are on foot, then except the fact that you are only going to get as far as hundreds or thousands of other people. Your best bet here might be to have a storage facility for supplies near the city. Offering to share these supplies with someone that has a vehicle but has no supplies or fuel storage might get you a ride to safety.
Part 2. Choosing Your Destination
Destination Considerations
So far, we have only addressed issues relative to a successful exit and then reaching your destination. If you have one that is! But what if you don’t have one? Now you are back to sheltering in place again, or maybe stopping at a state park when you run out of gas.
Xodus has studied a number of destinations in the Great Plains area and other states as well. Below you will learn about the methodology used in that process and some suggestions for how you can do your own research on locations.
Destination Locations
Saying that you are going to one state or another, or you are saying that you are going to one country or another is not good enough. You need to know exactly where your destination location will be and whether you have a legal right to be there. Private land is just that, private! Public land is not yours either according to the Feds. During the Great Depression in the 1930s you could not go to Yellowstone Park, build a log cabin in the woods, and live off the park’s deer, elk, and buffalo. That has not changed.
Without knowing your destination, it is impossible to be properly prepared. How will you know what seeds to stock, what clothing to pack, which water purification system is right for you, what type of gear would be best, and nearly anything else that has to do with the survival retreat? This is not the time to be a pioneer, you need to be a settler and dig in for the duration. Some of you think that you could do this – maybe so! Not to brag, but I think I could do it too if it were just me and maybe a skillful like-minded buddy. But I have a family and there is no way I am going to put them through that crucible. It would not end well for everyone involved if the time dragged on into many months or years. Even the fur trappers of the Rocky Mountains back in the 1820s were re-supplied every year at their annual rendezvous. And for many of them, it was the last time they were ever seen. They had to contend with the elements and a few Indians tribes. You would have to deal with the elements too, plus a couple of million armed and desperate people. In this case, you are like a mourning dove perched on a telephone wire during hunting season. Well, I guess that was graphic, but I presume you get the point. You need a specific destination!
We have already discussed ways and means to get to your destination, but the question now is how to find one. Just like bugging-out, this subject is multifaceted. For example:
Do you know what would make a good bug-out location for you?
How much can you afford? Can you even calculate the cost?
How long do you think you will have to stay there?
What quality of life will you require or accept?
Do you want to hide out on your own, or do you want some type of like-minded community for security and the other benefits that that may offer?
What are your expectations for access to food and water?
Will you be self-sufficient with your food stocks, or do you plan to live off the land?
What about land for gardening?
What about access to, or your distance from, health care facilities if they still exist?
And this list goes on and on!
Of course, there is no single location that is perfect for everyone, but one might optimistically categorize them as good, better, and best. But still, this remains subjective and a personal choice.
Xodus has reviewed numerous articles about the subject of location and found that many of these articles are a bunch of BS. When you do your research, be very careful and read them with a critical eye. Some would have you consider tornados and earthquakes as bad location prospects. Ask yourself why so many people live in California if that is the case. Or, how it is so many people that live in tornado alley have never even seen a tornado. Others will present a map of likely nuclear bomb targets with seemingly more target locations pinpointed than any country has nuclear bombs. Not to mention the fact that they missed pinpointing military bases but would place a stick pin on a city with as few as 100,000 people that has no military facilities and little manufacturing. Others say you should consider things like water rights, gun laws, home-schooling laws, employment opportunities, alternative energy regulations, and health code laws. Are they moving there or is this a bug-out location during a national crisis? These are all clues that you are wasting your time.
Many of the more well thought out and logical websites we saw will simply list large regions and identify pros and cons. Those that identify specific states will more often just rank those states and offer their logic for doing so. That said, we have noticed that both types of sites seem to be the most rational and well-studied on the subject. They also do not presuppose that any one location is perfect for everyone. Their collective opinions do seem to favor the Great Plains states like Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and more western states such as Idaho and Montana. Some will offer a few they seem to consider outliers like Colorado, Texas, Wyoming, Utah, and a few others. We also noticed that almost all of them are west of the Mississippi River. We agree that there are a lot of good potential locations, but in the final analysis we tried to be a little more precise. Our take on this is that certain areas of South Dakota, Wyoming, and Nebraska top the list of good places. Like many others we didn’t try to do a precise ranking system. There are just too many places that have merit to select “the best choice.” Not all states were studied, and some were not even entertained as possibilities. In fact, we didn’t see much about Kentucky or Tennessee, but they probably offer some possibilities.
Some people don’t have to go anywhere. If you are a swamp person and know how to live off the land, man you’ve got it made! You can stay put! But living in New Orleans does not qualify you as a swamp person or having the skills to do this! Likewise, a fur trapper living in a log cabin in Alaska would probably shelter in place as long as possible, but people in Anchorage could have some serious problems with electricity, heat, water, and sewer.
When it comes to other countries, we felt that people choosing this alternative would have individual logic they wish to apply. Things like how safe their money will be in that country, possible citizenship, and so on. We made no attempt to look at those possibilities. However, it does seem clear among the elite crowd that New Zealand is the top choice for moneyed U.S. citizens. It appears that New Zealand citizenship can be purchased, but it is not cheap! One pathway to citizenship is via investment in that country. The “Investor Plus Visa” requires a minimum investment of $10 million NZD for at least three years with a few other minor requirements. If you can do it, good for you! Just so you know there are many other countries selling visas or dual citizenship. Prices for this vary greatly.
Image # 12 MJ – Image 0589 North Slough (remove caption)
Destination South Dakota
A lucky few of you will have a bug-out location that you consider perfect. That would be a place like your grandmother’s ranch in Montana. But for everyone else, we think South Dakota probably ranks among the best of the good choices. This is what we discovered:
Let’s start with some statistics about South Dakota
It is big: It ranks 17th of the 50 States with 77,117 square miles.
Population: It’s pretty low with 886,667 people. (U.S. Census 2020)
Population Density: South Dakota ranks number 46 of the 50 States for population density with 11 people per square mile. (For reference: Alaska has 1 person per square mile and Manhattan Island has 73,006 per square mile.)
Murder rate: In 2016, there were 21 murders. Of those, 17 were on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in Southwest SD (FBI report.) in 2017, there were 19 murders. This counts both (1st and 2nd degree.)
Property crime: The property crime is 23.3% lower than the national average.
Cattle: South Dakota ranks number one for cattle per person with 3,650,000 cattle. So, if you get hungry, you and your friends can certainly buy cattle.
Hogs: There are 1.2 million hogs in SD. Hogs reproduce quickly, so you can probably buy as many as you need.
Growing Season: On average there are 148 frost free days in South Dakota. (USDA Zone 4 growing season.) In short, gardens do very well with a very large variety of plants. Farmers grow wheat, corn, soybeans, and many other important crops.
Precipitation: This is regional, but for example, SE South Dakota gets an average of 27 inches of rain and 41 inches of snow. The snow comes and goes throughout the winter months. Western SD is more arid, but the Black Hills can really get hammered with snow.
Average Annual Temperature: The average is 46ºF. Summers get hot but are sufferable without A/C. Winters get cold but are also sufferable. However, you must have a heat source in your dwelling for winter temperatures. Spring and fall are wonderful. Winter is approximately November 15th through March 15th. (That’s 120 days of good hunting, trapping, ice fishing, rest, and reading if you have a good attitude about things.)
Health care: (2016 report) South Dakota is ranked #3 nationally with over 60 hospitals.
(Nearby Minnesota is #1, and nearby Iowa is #4.) The larger hospitals in South Dakota have air ambulance services. Sioux Falls is a major “hospital city” with all the specialties. The hospital system is so good that it is a predominant economic factor not just in that city but in the region.
Electricity: South Dakota produces over 40% of its electricity from hydroelectric facilities within the state. It also produces about 30% of its requirement from wind power. Combined, their electricity is over 70% from renewable sources. Other sources would include natural gas, solar, etc. The conclusion is that South Dakota has a pretty good chance to be one of the first states to power up after a disaster because of their in-state generation capabilities. In any event, if you are a party to any “Xodus Retreat Facility,” all the above power sources would be redundant to power generated at the Retreat Facility itself.
National Rankings: These rankings are relative as to the type (quality) of people with whom you would be living near as well as the quality of facilities, state management, affordability, and quality of infrastructure. We think all these things are at least somewhat relative to a bug-out location choice for one reason or another.
South Dakota’s national rankings are high across the board. Here are the numbers:
Higher education 11
Two-year degrees 1
Power grid 6
Renewable energy usage 4
Fiscal stability 4
Quality of life 5
Natural environment 6
Infrastructure 7
Affordability 11
With numbers like these plus the food, water, and security components, it is hard to argue that this would not rank very high as a good destination location. But again, there are other good locations. This is just an example of what a good destination location looks like. While doing your own research on other states, you can use this as an example of things to investigate while using this as a measuring stick of sorts. South Dakota is not known as a wealthy state; however, with high rankings in education, quality of life, and natural environment, it would appear to be a friendly place with intelligent and helpful neighbors. Not to mention its important “out of the way” natural security feature.
Back in the 1930s, California was the place to go for the farmers in the dust bowl states who went bust due to drought. When California finally had all they could handle, they literally closed the state and put up road blocks at their borders. Now imagine this happening in states all across America after an “Event.” Most probably, those states would not fair to well with their enforcement. But South Dakota is different. If South Dakota did this, who do they have to worry about? North Dakota people are established in North Dakota, and they are assuredly a self-sufficient lot. Why would they come to South Dakota? It is the same for its southern border with Nebraska, and it’s the same with its western borders with Wyoming and Montana. The only real boundary it may need to close off is its border with Minnesota, and that is only about 250 miles long. Furthermore, the only reason it would have to close that border is if the hordes of people from the eastern states decided they could have their way with South Dakota resources in a free for all situations. That is presuming they could even get there days or weeks after an “Event.”
In any case, relative to this discussion about state security, there is something else we found interesting about South Dakota.
As in 1930s California, if governor(s) of other states had to declare martial law or otherwise closed their state borders, then here is a look at the South Dakota situation.
Image #13 PD - gov’t photo (this is a public domain image.
Do not give credit to the Washington post.
Caption on this photo: Gov. Kristi Noem with National Guard
Follow this link for the image needed here
https://www.stripes.com/opinion/2021-07-12/south-dakota-governor-national-guard-southern-border-2128278.html
South Dakota has 44 Army National Guard Units and 17 Air Guard Units in 22 locations around the state. There are 4300 soldiers alone. Twelve of these units are combat engineers. These soldiers are not only trained as infantry, but also in explosives and construction, including bridges. There are also 32 other units with other serious skills of their own. (Remember that National Guard units are under the command of each state’s governor.) Combined with regular law enforcement officers in the state, we think South Dakota is unique relative to its internal security and natural security via its location. However, you must have the gas to get there! The hordes from the east just won’t be able to make it to South Dakota, unless like you, they are properly prepared for the bug-out journey.
Most people in the United States have never been to the Great Plains states, and many jokingly call it fly-over country or “the square frozen states.” For those who are better informed about this region, it is known as “the breadbasket of the world.” It has ample above-ground water and one of the largest aquifers in the world beneath much of it.
If you desire to choose a different region entirely, for whatever reason, we encourage you to follow the format above as it considers social aspects, safety, and resource availability.
Here is an interesting note about South Dakota relative to nuclear war. It no longer has any nuclear missile launch sites. I found this article online while doing some research. The author, John LaForge, was kind enough to allow me to re-print it here.
“Missile Fields Still Armed & Dangerous”
By John LaForge
Reprinted from the Winter 2006 - 2007 Nukewatch Quarterly
The number of Minuteman missiles has been cut in half since 1988, when Nukewatch published Nuclear Heartland, our groundbreaking atlas of the missiles’ locations.
At the time, the Air Force was operating six giant missile fields: two in North Dakota, and one each in Missouri, South Dakota, Montana and Wyoming/Colorado/Nebraska.
Three of these missile fields have now been decommissioned and eliminated: Missouri, South Dakota and Grand Forks, ND.
In Wyoming, 50 giant MX missiles, with up to ten warheads on each rocket, have all been withdrawn from the western side of the field which is still maintained by the F.E. Warren Air Force Base.
As of 2007 (More may have been decommissioned since then.) The missiles still in operation - with a total of 500 Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) still on “alert” status - are at Minot, North Dakota; Great Falls, Montana; and at the shared border area of Wyoming / Colorado / Nebraska.
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According to Nukewatch, the 500 Minuteman missiles have now been further reduced to about 450 missiles. In other literature I have read, it appears that our most recent arms agreement will further reduce these missiles to 400.
We have offered the above information about nuclear sites despite the fact that we (and many others) have determined the states mentioned above to be relatively to very good bug-out locations. The argument for South Dakota shines a little brighter partially because it no longer has any nuclear launch sites. However, these other states still need to be considered as destinations. When one studies where the remaining launch sites are located, the density of these weapons in a given location, the probable size of any incoming weapons to attack them, prevailing winds, and other factors, one can still determine that there are vast areas in these regions that should be considered. If you have an overwhelming fear that a nuclear attack is the most predominate possibility for a major event, you should probably follow your heart and seek a location away from nuclear silos, military bases, or nuclear power plants. However, we still believe that grid down, financial collapse, civil unrest, or even a pandemic occurrence to be the larger concerns on a national level.
While we have determined that the states mentioned are good bug-out locations based on our research, many of you will have your own ideas based on a variety of criteria. This could be cultural, climatic, distance from your home, or any number of factors.
By the way, at this point some of you may have wondered if I have a destination location! Yes, I do, and it is over 1,500 miles away. I plan for our group to arrive there in 30 to 36 hours. You should take a cue from this. Don’t be afraid to take on a trip that is halfway across the country to arrive at a location that you know will be safe for a very long time. You will make it with gas and adrenalin.
Image 14 IS – 876886576 Survey Form Image (no caption)
Part 3. Xodus Survey Information – Why it Counts!
Xodus has created these concepts with the understanding that nearly everyone is in the same boat – how do you get going and where do you go? However, until now, no one has offered a concept anything like this. The survey is designed to discover your interest in things like supply and equipment storage facilities, in route fueling locations, departure locations, destination locations, security requirements, group or community size preferences, and standard of living preferences. To get any feedback from us, we need you to participate. Even if you are not interested in any help from Xodus, we would still like to have any information you are willing to share. (It will be helpful to other Americans.)
We can then contact you when sufficient interest has been established relative to your departure / destination area or any in-route refueling locations etc. The process will allow Xodus to estimate the required bug-out facility sizes and locations. In turn, it will provide you with estimated costs for the individual requirements you have selected in the survey.
In this way, and at your option, Xodus can potentially put you in contact with others who are like-minded about a certain location. There could be thousands or tens of thousands of you who think Maine or Texas or Utah or any other place is right for them. Armed with that information, Xodus could contact you with information such as: there are now 500 families that want to go to Maine, or 1000 families that want to go to West Texas, or 1500 families that want to go to Utah or any other location that achieves some type of critical mass in numbers. With that information, you could then employ ideas presented in this book and accomplish a unified goal. That being survival the way you want to do it.
This online survey can be found at Xodussolutions.com. Please complete any sections of the survey that are of interest to you. The questions are generic but will still be treated confidentially and for internal use only. This is free and completely non-committal. It will also be useful to help you focus on numerous aspects of survival. (We don’t require your last name, address, or phone number.)
Now that you know your options, let’s get to the meat of this book!
Please note that dollar values represented below can change quickly with inflation, but any mathematical principles will still apply.
