An extended blackout would affect far more than lighting. Access to water, cooking facilities, essential medicines, and reliable information could all become difficult. Those challenges are central to a preparedness message from Special Forces veteran and survival expert Mykel Hawke.

Speaking on NewsNation’s Hot Take with Jesse Weber, Hawke urged households to consider how they would manage if the infrastructure supporting daily life stopped working.

His comments came amid reporting on the Pentagon’s FORTRESS initiative. According to NewsNation, the effort aims to enable major U.S. military installations to sustain operations for up to 90 days without external electricity, water, fuel, or supply deliveries.

The military’s target concerns the resilience of its bases; it is not a prediction that American households will experience a three-month blackout. Still, the discussion raises practical questions about civilian readiness.

Preparedness involves more than stored food.

Hawke identified water, fire and shelter as fundamental survival priorities, alongside medicine, communication, navigation and security.

For families, he emphasized planning for drinking water supplies, sanitation, and ways to prepare meals during a lengthy disruption. A cupboard full of food addresses only part of the problem if a household cannot meet its other basic needs.

His broader message was to consider the services people depend on every day—and what happens when those services become unavailable.

Staying informed could become difficult.

Hawke also warned against depending entirely on mobile phones. Batteries eventually run down, while disruptions to electricity and communications infrastructure can limit connectivity.

He encouraged keeping backup radios and alternative ways to receive information. During a prolonged emergency, the ability to follow updates could become as important as having supplies on hand.

Why military planners are preparing for disruption

According to NewsNation’s reporting, FORTRESS focuses on energy independence, protection against cyber threats, and more resilient supply arrangements. Military officials are exploring options such as microgrids, battery storage, and alternative energy sources.

Hawke argued that adversaries unable to confront the United States through conventional military means could instead pursue asymmetric attacks, potentially targeting infrastructure. Cyberattacks, natural disasters, and conflict are among the disruptions driving broader preparedness discussions.

NewsNation also reported that Britain has encouraged citizens to keep emergency supplies, while U.S. officials continue examining ways to strengthen critical infrastructure.

For households, the practical takeaway is to look beyond a single emergency purchase. Preparing for a lengthy disruption means considering water, hygiene, medicine, cooking, and communication as a package.

Source: The supplied article, citing NewsNation’s reporting and its interview with Mykel Hawke.