Forget doomsday — Seattle preppers are bracing for real-world crises
Why it matters: Seattle's economy has historically been among the strongest in the nation, but concerns about rising costs locally and interest rates and economic policy nationally have left many feeling vulnerable.
What they're doing: Residents across the region are taking small, steady steps to shore up their stability, according to a conversation with Axios on a recent thread in r/CascadianPreppers, a subreddit focused on preparedness in the Pacific Northwest. That includes:
Paying down debt while jobs are still stable.
Stockpiling basics like food, toiletries, and clothes — one Redditor is buying kids' shoes in the next several sizes, Thomas James, a moderator of the group, told Axios.
Expanding gardens and switching to more calorie-dense crops.
Between the lines: The movement is shedding its fringe reputation with more everyday people preparing for common hardships and natural disasters rather than doomsday scenarios, said James.
"We're not preparing for a Mad Max scenario — we're preparing for layoffs, earthquakes, rent spikes. The things that happen every year," said James.
His own off-grid setup in Mason County includes creek filtration, solar panels and fruit trees, but many local preppers are just trying to stretch their dollars and reduce reliance on unstable systems, he said.
What they're saying: Len Skiena, financial planner and CEO of S.R. Schill & Associates on Mercer Island, told Axios many of his clients — especially those nearing retirement — are anxious about market swings, inflation, and Social Security.
He's urging them to update their financial plans, avoid rash moves, and remember the fundamentals remain solid, even if trust in the system has taken a hit.
"People are being hurt — losing jobs for no clear reason, seeing services cut," Skiena said. "But we remind clients: We've been through volatility before, and we've made it through recessions."
Yes, but: Some people are preparing for more extreme outcomes. Redditor u/Chief Kief told Axios they are brushing up on CPR and self-defense, organizing life documents, and prepping a " go bag."
Another user, u/Jessie-sammy, tells us she keeps up on firearms training "in case of unrest," keeps multiple currencies on hand, and has her family's legal paperwork ready in case of a need to leave the country quickly.
The bottom line: Prepping in the Pacific Northwest these days isn't about bunkers or bugging out, said James.
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