Idaho earns top ranking for survival state

A survival blogger along with a known author have compiled lists of the top states to survive a natural disaster or the end of the world.

Idaho is number one on those lists.

Since early 2005, Idaho has been named as a top destination for survivalists.

In 2011, survivalist Author Joel Akousen named Idaho as the perfect place for a survival retreat and survival blogger Jim Rawles has done the same.

The owner of the Preparedness Store says he know the reason.

“The people I think to me make a big difference, we’re in a smaller farming community as is a lot of Idaho, I think the benefit of the LDS community, along with the smaller community, you got people that are used to working together,” said Owner Rusty Kappel.

The two authors also say the low crime rate, the high amount of forested land, minimum gun laws and a large amount of resources in the area are good.

Kappel is noticing customer demand for supplies.

“Preparedness is definitely what’s hot right now. We got a lot of guys who come in that are very survival minded that have bought in to the idea that this is important.”

The Preparedness Store notices when disasters strike, business goes up.

It’s most popular item is dehydrated and freeze-dried foods that can last up to 30 years.

Wal-mart in Ammon has a section dedicated to emergency preparedness and the store manager says it’s very important to their customers.

“Three years we set up this center because of customer demand, we had a small portion of it, but our customers were telling us they want a bigger selection, said Store Manager Jason Neville.

Locals seem grateful for that selection.

“So each week we pick something out that we want to start storing because of the way things are going. It’s just scary and it’s always good to be prepared,” said shopper Antoinette Lee.

States that are at the bottom of the list include: Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana.