In this episode, we look back at the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens — one of the most violent volcanic explosions in U.S. history. We talk through the months of warning signs leading up to the blast, the massive bulge that formed on the north side of the mountain, and the political and personal battles over evacuation orders. We walk through the moment the volcano exploded, the landslide that triggered the lateral blast, and how the eruption flattened forests, buried river valleys, and sent ash across 11 states. We also discuss the people who survived, those who didn’t, and how emergency response unfolded in the chaos that followed. Finally, we break down the major preparedness lessons: understanding local hazards, building a 72-hour kit for dirty air, knowing evacuation routes, protecting your water and engines, and staying adaptable when warnings shift from “someday” to “right now.”

🌋 The Warnings – Rising earthquakes, steam bursts, and the rapidly growing bulge on the north flank showed the mountain was under extreme pressure, and scientists struggled to communicate the danger to locals and officials.

💥 The May 18 Eruption – A magnitude 5.1 earthquake triggered the largest landslide ever recorded, releasing a sideways blast of ash, gas, and rock that tore through 230 square miles at hundreds of miles per hour and instantly reshaped the mountain.

🌑 Ashfall Across the Northwest – A 15-mile-high ash column darkened the sky, shut down airports, buried roads and farms, clogged engines, and drifted across multiple states, turning day into night.

🌊 Lahars & Destruction – Melted snow and debris produced massive mudflows that destroyed bridges, highways, homes, and entire river valleys, causing long-term disruptions to power, water, and transportation.

🧍 Human Stories & Loss – Fifty-seven people died, including scientists, campers, and residents who chose to stay behind. We discuss the famous last transmission from volcanologist David Johnston and the story of Harry Truman, who refused to evacuate Spirit Lake.

🏚 Aftermath & Recovery – Cleanup went on for months as ash was shoveled like snow, respirators became everyday gear, and the region worked to rebuild roads, utilities, and entire communities while adapting to a transformed landscape.

🧭 Preparedness Lessons – Why early evacuation matters, how respiratory protection can save lives, why engines fail in heavy ash, how long-term outages can follow volcanic events, and why adaptability—not prediction—is a prepper’s best tool.

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In this episode, we break down the Great Midwest Flood of 1993 — the costliest, longest-lasting flood in U.S. history. We talk about how a brutal winter and an unusually wet spring set the stage for disaster, how months of nonstop rain overwhelmed levees and entire river systems, and how communities fought to survive when the water simply refused to go down. We cover the collapse of infrastructure, the massive evacuations, the contamination and health issues, and what life was like in towns that stayed underwater for months. Finally, we pull out the biggest preparedness lessons from 1993: knowing your real flood risk, protecting drinking water, waterproofing your kits, elevating utilities, planning for early evacuation, and preparing for long-term displacement when a disaster drags on far longer than expected.

🌧 The Setup & Rise of the Floodwaters – How snowpack, spring saturation, and relentless summer storms combined into one of the worst hydrological events the U.S. has ever seen, and why levees up and down the Mississippi and Missouri were doomed to fail.

🏚 Communities Underwater – Stories of towns completely submerged, residents evacuating by boat and tractor, and the emotional toll of watching neighborhoods disappear and staying displaced for weeks or months.

⚠️ Infrastructure Collapse – What happens when bridges, roads, crops, rail lines, power plants, and water treatment systems all fail at once—and why Des Moines lost its drinking water for nearly two weeks.

🧫 Health & Environmental Hazards – How chemical leaks, sewage contamination, mold, and stagnant water created major public-health crises long after the rain stopped.

💧 Survival Lessons from 1993 – The importance of not relying on levees, understanding your elevation, keeping clean water stored, securing sanitation, using generators safely, and maintaining morale during a long-duration disaster.

⚙️ Modern Prepper Takeaways – Waterproof your 72-hour kit, elevate home utilities, know how to shut off gas and power, keep flood-fighting tools ready, treat cleanup like hazmat, and remember that some disasters build slowly until normal life disappears.

🌊 Anytime Flooding Threatens – Why forecasts matter, why you never drive into floodwater, how to protect valuables and drinking water, how to stay safe post-flood, and what gear is worth keeping if you live in flood-prone regions.

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Surviving Disasters Past – The Great Blizzard of 1888

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Surviving Disasters Past – The Australian “Black Summer” Bushfires, 2019–2020

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Surviving Disasters Past – The Spanish Flu Pandemic, 1918

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From misinformation and censorship to simple acts of neighborly care, the lessons from 1918 still matter: act early, isolate when needed, and plan for the long haul. Those who enforced quarantines and stocked early fared far better. The pandemic proved that civilization doesn’t collapse in explosions — sometimes it fades into silence, sickness, and slow breakdowns.

Modern preppers can take away vital lessons: stock essential supplies early, plan for extended isolation, and build redundancy in food, hygiene, and power. Mental health and community strength are as important as any piece of gear.

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Surviving Disasters Past – The Fukushima Nuclear Accident, 2011

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From cascading failures to invisible dangers, Fukushima proved that disasters rarely come alone — and that preparation must account for chain reactions. Backup power, multiple evacuation routes, and long-term resilience are critical. Knowing your area’s industrial risks, protecting against contamination, and maintaining independent communication can mean the difference between chaos and control.

When it comes to nuclear or chemical incidents, get indoors fast, seal your space, avoid outside food and water, and follow official updates before evacuating. Radiation is silent but survivable if you act quickly and stay informed.

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On December 26, 2004, a massive earthquake off Sumatra unleashed one of the deadliest tsunamis in history. Towering waves swept across the Indian Ocean, striking 14 countries and killing nearly a quarter of a million people. In this episode, we explore how the disaster unfolded, what survivors endured, and what lessons modern preppers can take from the tragedy.

A 9.1–9.3 earthquake ruptured a 900-mile fault line and displaced the seafloor, sending waves racing across the ocean at jet speeds. Coastal villages were erased, hotels and resorts collapsed, and families were torn apart in seconds. Hospitals and morgues were overwhelmed, aid was delayed, and whole provinces like Banda Aceh were devastated beyond recognition. Nearly 227,000 people were killed or went missing, and millions more were displaced, making it the deadliest tsunami in modern history.

The absence of an early warning system, poor building codes, and weak coastal planning turned the disaster into a catastrophe. Survivors often made it through by recognizing natural warning signs, running to higher ground, or acting on local leadership and community help. Improvised rescues and shared resources saved lives where official systems failed.

Coastal hazards demand awareness and speed. Preppers should know evacuation zones and routes before setting foot on the beach, train families in natural warning signs like sudden sea recession, and keep go-bags light and mobile. Stocking waterproof essentials, having radios and whistles for communication, and preparing for days of isolation are critical. Tsunamis prove that survival often comes down to seconds of decisive action.

If you feel a strong quake near the coast, move immediately to higher ground—don’t wait for alarms. Stay away after the first wave, as multiple surges can follow hours later. Expect hospitals, power, and communications to fail, and be ready to rely on first aid, improvisation, and community support. Above all, situational awareness and mental resilience are as vital as physical preparedness when the water rises.

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In December 1984, Bhopal, India suffered the deadliest industrial disaster in history when a pesticide plant released a massive cloud of toxic gas. Entire neighborhoods were poisoned in their sleep, with thousands dying overnight and hundreds of thousands left permanently scarred. We look at how the leak unfolded, what survivors endured, and what preppers today can learn when living near industrial hazards.

A leak of methyl isocyanate gas from the Union Carbide plant swept silently into nearby neighborhoods after midnight, overwhelming families in their sleep. Hospitals collapsed under the wave of victims, and the company withheld crucial information, leaving doctors helpless. By dawn, thousands were dead, streets were filled with bodies, and the city entered decades of lasting contamination and health crises.

The tragedy revealed how unprepared both the company and the city were: no warning systems, no evacuation plans, no medical readiness. Yet survival often came from instinctive reactions—running upwind, sealing indoors, covering faces with wet cloths, and neighbors helping each other escape.

Preppers today should recognize that chemical and industrial hazards can strike without warning. Knowing what’s stored or transported nearby, having respirators and sealing supplies ready, and practicing fast evacuation can make the difference. First aid measures, radios, and communication plans are vital tools when official instructions are delayed or confused.

Act quickly and trust your instincts—waiting for confirmation can be fatal. Understand when to shelter versus when to flee, expect long-term contamination of land and water, and remember that community cooperation often saves more lives than official responders. Industrial risk is global; preparedness applies no matter where you live.

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💧 LMNT – Electrolyte drink mix, perfect for bug out bags & EDC kits. Free sample pack with any purchase: DrinkLMNT.com/casualpreppers

📱 ReadyPlan by M.A.D. Gear – Digitize your emergency plans with this preparedness app. Use code CASUALPREPPERS for a discount.

📄 Episode Description

🧱 Episode Breakdown

📜 What Happened

💀 The Toll

🛠 Survival Lessons from 2005

⚠️ Modern Prepper Takeaways

🌪 Anytime a Hurricane Strikes

🎒 Podcast Sponsors

BattlBox – Monthly subscription box full of survival and EDC gear. Get 15% off your first box at Survive.battlbox.com/casualpreppers.

LMNT – Tasty, science-backed electrolytes with everything you need and nothing you don’t. Claim your free sample pack with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/CasualPreppers.

TacPack – Tactical subscription box with professional-grade gear. Use code CASUALPREPPERS for a free $70 part from Next Level Armament.

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🧱 Episode Breakdown

📜 What Happened

🛠 Survival Lessons from 1925

⚠️ Modern Prepper Takeaways

🌪 Anytime a Tornado Strikes

🎒 Podcast Sponsors

BattlBox – Monthly subscription box full of survival and EDC gear. Get 15% off your first box at Survive.battlbox.com/casualpreppers.

LMNT – Tasty, science-backed electrolytes with everything you need and nothing you don’t. Claim your free sample pack with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/CasualPreppers.

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