Total Grid Failure

[Moose-Knuckle]

In other words, I had understood that EMP is a real and serious threat from a nuclear power with ballistic missiles (if they were willing to use one), but a small to trivial threat from anyone else. Am I right or wrong?

Man-made EMPs are one thing then there are naturally occurring CMEs . . . see the Carrington Event for more info.

[Suwannee Tim]

Consider an atomic bomb exploded in space. The extreme heat of the explosion causes many or most of the atoms of the bomb to become ionized i.e. the electrons are physically separated from the atomic nuclei they were formerly bound to. The extreme heat causes the whole thing to expand very rapidly. The electrons being much, much lighter than the atomic nuclei move much more rapidly and being in space there is no atmosphere to restrict this sudden movement. When electrons move suddenly they generate electromagnetic radiation and depending on how fast they move this radiation can be anything from low frequency radio waves to very high intensity x-rays. Anyway, you get a very powerful pulse of EM radiation. This radiation will cause an electrical response in an antenna and the power system is a very large antenna. If this pulse gets conducted into the guts of a transformer it can cause damage. This is EMP. Where I am weak, I don't really understand the physics of how EM radiation gets coupled into an antenna, I don't know the power spectrum of an EM pulse and I don't know how a power system responds to these pulses. There are ways to protect big transformers for example every big transformer has lightning arrestors on every bushing.

[SteveS]

Fuse.

[4x4twenty6]

So what did everyone think of that show American Blackout?

[Voodoo_Man]

So what did everyone think of that show American Blackout?

In my opinion, they went a little too conservative. 1-3 days without power is manageable, with minor issues. After 4 or 5 days, most police departments generators won't run (I know ours won't) so don't expect police anywhere. Especially if its "total" or national grid failure, expect near total chaos by day 5.

[gun71530]

In my opinion, they went a little too conservative. 1-3 days without power is manageable, with minor issues. After 4 or 5 days, most police departments generators won't run (I know ours won't) so don't expect police anywhere. Especially if its "total" or national grid failure, expect near total chaos by day 5.

My thoughts exactly, if the grid was down for ten days, there would likely be a total societal collapse.

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2

[NWPilgrim]

Agree. Without water urban areas especially would become sanitation nightmares. They alluded to this but did not show just how bad it would be when people start getting dysentery , typhoid, and other bad water diseases, or dying of heat stroke from lack of water and A/C. A lot of sick and elderly folks will be dying in just a few days if their medical devices no longer have power.

I did like that they were more balanced about non-preppers and preppers, but they went had to show even the best prepped family nearly came to doom by a stupid tactical mistake. If people are overrunning your property for the purpose of stripping it and coming in armed, then it is time to attack from cover and pick them off rather than barging in on them in full view and getting captured. either stay hid, or shoot on sight and don't try to have a conversation.

[Voodoo_Man]

The show tried to be politically correct on purpose. They did not show inner-city/urban areas because those areas will not have police presence, they will be total chaos, complete collapse of an already burdened system. Those that live in the areas are completely on their own, even the national guard will most likely not show up in those areas without being heavily armed. It'll be a war zone and simply "flicking the switch" back on won't sold everything in an instant. Though running water will help, but that wouldn't be guaranteed safe to drink.

[Eurodriver]

I used to think the term Right Wing Nut Job was a term of endearment by the left.


Now I get it. Some of you guys are really out there.

to discuss hypothetically what would happen if , is one thing.

To believe this tinfoil crap is another. FYI I heard similar talk about a massive false flag attack occurring in October. Sure the month isnt over but military personnel aren't being restricted to 20 miles from base like what was being stated.

I guess infowars has to stay in business somehow.

edit: I am not saying this as someone who isn't prepared for a disaster. I'm saying this as someone who is over listening to the boy cry wolf. (while still having my shotgun at the door in case he shows up anyway. )

[Voodoo_Man]

Thanks for the obligatory "tin foil hat" and "ring wing nut job" post, guess someone had to do it.

Hypotheticals are how you figure things out without having to go through them. No reason why we cannot think about what if scenario's that could and have happened before in other parts.

The people in the US are very spoiled in this regard, and it shows in the lifestyle, culture and mindset. The "it can't happen here!" or "to me!" mindset is about the weakest link in someone's chain. You don't think it can happen? I am not talking about a zombie apocalypse, I am talking about a completely expected event, like a brown or black out that has and will occur. Thinking you are immune to it or simply will not be affected to it just because of who you are or your particular circumstance is pretty short sighted.