Report Highlights: Cyber attacks, natural disasters, solar flares, and crumbling infrastructure are all causes for concern to our power grid. Preparedness for these scenarios is key to survival.
- A catastrophic power outage could last days, weeks, months, or even years.
- Blackout survival encompasses combatting threats such as hunger, dehydration, the elements, and even people.
- Between 2014 and 2023, 15,899 people died during self-defense situations involving firearms.
- Mass shootings have resulted in 1,399 deaths since 1966.
- Countries around the globe have been preparing for catastrophic cyberattacks on power grids since 2017.
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How to Survive a Catastrophic Power Outage
Blackout survival is something every American should familiarize themself with. Not only is a catastrophic power outage possible, but the threats that come with it would be formidable and unforgiving.
Catastrophic power outages have many causes and can last for long periods of time. Understanding what is happening and reacting accordingly will greatly improve your odds of survival.
Essentially, you should be prepared to replace every amenity and necessity in your life. From how you get water and food to how you react to threats, this guide covers every aspect of surviving a catastrophic power outage during long periods.
Chances of Power Grid Failure
A 2018 National Infrastructure Advisory Council report stated that a catastrophic power outage from a cyber attack could last days or even years. 4 Blackout survival preparation begins before the lights ever go out, and you should be prepared for prolonged outages.
Let’s review some reasons you may experience a catastrophic power outage.
Electromagnetic Pulse
An electromagnetic pulse (EMP) would affect the power grid and most electronics. This type of catastrophe can be generated from a nuclear weapon detonated in low orbit. The result would be a brief burst of electromagnetic energy appearing as a high-frequency sine wave.
An EMP could take out the power grid for half of the entire country, or its effect might be more localized. Either way, we’re in for a massive shock if this happens.
Solar Flares
We often hear about solar flares, which can impact the power grid, electronics, and more. The process by which a solar flare would take out a massive chunk of the power grid is pretty much the same as an EMP, except it is a natural phenomenon. If the sun decides to send off large solar flares, then there’s no way we can stop it.
Solar flares have happened before. In 1989, a solar flare knocked out the power for millions of Canadians for nine hours. How likely is this to reoccur? Some scientists have speculated that this “when, not if” situation is more likely than an EMP attack.
Continue reading How to Survive If the Power Grid Goes Down: Power Grid Failure Preparedness Guide on Ammo.com
, but the farm has several springs and free gas and I could always shoot me a deer or 2 for survival. I think I would manage either that or just plant some flowers on me after they throw the dirt on me .
