"The majority of survivalists live in suburban areas and they see a life away from that as an ideal, " he says.

CNN: Survivalists get ready for meltdown

Something for future urban survivalists to keep in mind.

FORBES: New York City After Hurricane Sandy

"Off-grid living is a spectrum that unites greens and survivalists, " says Rosen, referring to those who choose to escape city life because they either don't trust the government or don't want it meddling in their affairs.

CNN: 5 great spots for dropping off the grid

So far, the region has produced none of the Y2K doomsday websites or cultish survivalists that have materialized in the U.S. Asian officials acknowledge the public needs to get more information than has been provided so far.

CNN: Page 4

Back in the 16th Century, the point where the St Lawrence River tightens became a base for a rogue collection of hard-bitten survivalists, who spent months venturing deep into the heart of Innu territory to the trading posts at Lac St-Jean.

BBC: Qu��bec's wood runners

Then there are the Y2K survivalists.

CNN: Opinion: Dissecting the millennial fruitcake