Three countries. One week. The same message: be ready to take care of yourself.

In the space of a single week, the governments of Britain, Japan and the United States all moved in the same direction. They are getting ready for a bad stretch, and they are handing the first days of survival back to households.

Nobody has said these warnings are coordinated. But look at the calendar.

Britain: three days on your own

On October 22, the UK government launched its “Be Ready” campaign. It tells households to prepare for three days without power, water, phones or internet. It is the first stage of a three-year campaign. Officials frame it as routine, building on guidance first issued in May 2024.

The public did not treat it as routine. By October 26 and 27, stores were reporting baked beans, water and batteries selling out. The retailer Iceland reported tinned food sales up 40%.

On October 27, the UK Foreign Office said the “risk of sudden escalation is high.”

The Pentagon: 90 days without the outside world

On October 26, reports surfaced on a Pentagon plan called FORTRESS. Under it, major US military bases must be able to run for 90 days or more without civilian power, water, fuel or communications.

Think about that. The military is planning for bases to stand alone for three months.

Japan: three days, ideally a week

On October 26 and 27, Japan’s Disaster Minister Hosono said every household should keep at least three days, and ideally a week, of food, water and toilet supplies. A formal request is set for November 2, when Japan’s new Disaster Management Agency opens. Tokyo frames this as earthquake preparation.

The war backdrop

All of this lands while the Middle East is on edge. According to a Wall Street Journal report, the United States told Gulf states to prepare for a “short, intense” campaign against Iran after the November 3 midterms. The report says President Trump has not made a decision.

The commentator’s warning

On his October 26 podcast, Dan Bongino, now a commentator, put it bluntly. “Get your stuff today,” he said, naming radios, batteries, emergency food, rain collection and water filters. “Panic kills,” he warned. His phrase for it: “Fortress My House.”

What they’re telling people to have

• Enough to get through at least three days without power, water, phones or internet, and a week if you can
• Food that keeps, like tinned and emergency food
• Water, plus a water filter and a way to collect rainwater
• Toilet supplies
• A battery radio
• Spare batteries

Governments are not saying the worst is coming. They are saying the first few days are on you. Plan for that now.

Sources

• GOV.UK: households encouraged to take small, simple steps to stay prepared
• Daily Mail: stockpile warning triggers baked bean, water and battery shortage
• A News (Anadolu): Pentagon plans to keep US military bases running for 90 days
• Unilad: Dan Bongino on disaster preparedness
• Seoul Economic Daily: Japan to urge citizens to stockpile three days of food and water
• IBTimes UK: Japan households three days emergency supplies
• Mediaite: Bongino warns Americans to take stock-up warnings seriously
• Anadolu: US warns Gulf states of possible short, intense Iran war after midterms
• Manchester Evening News: UK Foreign Office warning and submarines

Steve Poplar is the publisher of The Poplar Report.