Quote:
Originally Posted by Legbreaker
The generators may still be there, but the distribution network isn't exactly in prime condition. Also need maintenance on the generators, even if it's just removing logs and other debris from the inlet screens and lubricating various moving parts.
Provided EMP didn't screw things up too much, it shouldn't take TOO much effort though, provided a few basic parts and machines (cranes, perhaps a few boats, etc) are available, along with the necessary fuel to run them. Not a completely insurmountable obstacle, but certainly one to keep a few score people busy for a while.
As for agriculture, the big issue is moving the water for irrigation. Without fuel many pumps will be useless, and without electricity, the rest won't be any good either.
That said, there's been ways of shifting bulk amounts of water for nearly as long as organised agriculture has existed. The more modern methods are just a lot more efficient than a chain of buckets or windmills.
Certainly some areas would have to be abandoned at least in the short term for crops, although may still see some use as pasture, provided water could be provided for stock. Establishing a low elevation stock watering point is definitely a lot easier though than irrigating the entire field.
Realistically, it doesn't take much to work out what the Lakes would look like post nuke - only have to look back to the first half of the 20th century.
I'd imagine there wouldn't be too many refugee camps in the area either - all able bodied people would quickly find work tilling fields, digging irrigation ditches or refurbishing/making old style farm equipment. Many may even be put to use pulling plows and other equipment given the limited number of suitable draft animals compared to even the 1950's.
The big problem is feeding and housing the influx of people in the first twelve months or so.
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FYI I was born and raised in Western New York and I have family members there still who have friends who work at those power plants - and EMP basically would have left those plants almost untouched - the turbines and almost all the control equipment in the mid-90's was very old fashioned - we arent talking banks of computers that were vulnerable to EMP
Also that whole area is very well watered - there are even what we call "mucklands" that are close to swamps that most likely would still be fine no matter what the drought conditions. And if there is anywhere in the Northeast that could take an influx of people and be able to feed them its there.
and there are a lot of hunters and veterans in the area that would be assisting in keeping order
It is mentioned in Challenge magazine as well - the module about the oil in PA talks about the area in some length