An otherwise undamaged refinery or pipeline will not operate without access to electric power. Gas stations dispense fuel by means of electric pumps, making supplies of liquid fuel for cars and airplanes also at risk when the grid breaks. Even money these days is more electric than it is material; there are no cash machines in a storm, no banking or investment systems, no ways to monitor, use, or control currency not made of paper or metal. No communications networks also means inoperative military and police forces.
