Do you mean Jericho?
...I cant go to a bar with my friends without at least one of them hitting an ATM first...
This is how I see it:
One day, on our way to work, we stop at the gas station to fill up. But, our Debit Card is denied, says to see cashier. Cashier informs us that the card is not registering. We shake our heads and go to work. On break, we call our wife (after all, only she knows how to call the bank), and later she leaves a message that the bank is now CLOSED. Reports come in on our smartphones that banks all over the US are now closing abruptly, and that they are not answering calls or emails. Then the lunchtime news shows that Wall Street, and other trading websites are on shutdown. People are now starting to panic, as most do not carry more than $20 in their wallet, and rely on Debit Cards. Only, they're no longer working.
News channels are now sensationalizing the financial collapse of the banking system, and are starting to explain why banks are shutting down to protect themselves per their emergency plans. This starts a slow rising panic in the populace that gains momentum across the country. Reports come in of people arguing at gas pumps, grocery stores, and even liquor stores and tobacco stores. Shots are fired. Car jackings. Groups of like-minded anarchists begin moving together, searching for opportunities. Police were trying to help, but then they realized that they probably won't get paid anytime soon, and their own wives/husbands/kids are at home panicking.
Obama declares Martial Law/curfews/National Guard roadblocks. All this just before the internet and cell phones drop out. Since 99% of populace is not prepared for anything, and most of them think the government is supposed to protect them, over a third of the population either succumbs to violence, illness, starvation, or dehydration. The rest of us will try to bunker down and hold up, or will be forced to move and loot to survive.
All this will take place in the course of two weeks. Don't think it could happen that way? Look at what happened to NO, LA in the course of one week after Katrina. Now, imagine that on a national scale...