SHTF tips: How to survive an EMP attack that brings down the power grid

An electromagnetic pulse (EMP) is a short, intense burst of electromagnetic energy that can cause temporary or permanent damage to your electrical equipment. Before SHTF, you need to prepare so you can survive the short- or long-term effects of an EMP attack in your area. (h/t to UKPrepper.Life)

What causes large-scale EMP?

A large-scale EMP could destroy the power and communications networks across continents, which could eventually cause the collapse of modern society.

Below are the two potential causes of EMP large enough to cause widespread damage or destroy the power grid.

EMP caused by weapons

Gamma radiation produced by a nuclear explosion collides with air molecules, which then causes a massive electric field. Asymmetries in the electric field caused by air movement and the Earth’s surface generate an EMP.

An EMP caused by a nuclear explosion at or near ground level will be very small, but a nuclear explosion at a high altitude will cause a massive EMP.

If a 10 megaton nuclear weapon detonates at an altitude of 200 miles above the center of Europe, it would cause an EMP covering most of the continent.

Remember that EMPs can also be produced by non-nuclear weapons.

Non-nuclear EMP weapons or E-bombs produce an EMP that can destroy electrical and electronic equipment. An E-bomb produces a much smaller EMP than a nuclear weapon of a similar size.

EMP caused by the sun

A coronal mass ejection (CME) is a burst of plasma ejected from the sun. A large magnetic field accompanies this burst of plasma.

CMEs can travel huge distances in space and some of them can reach Earth. When a CME collides with the Earth’s magnetosphere, it causes aurora and geomagnetic storms.

But if the magnetic field is powerful enough, it can cause widespread damage to electrical equipment. The largest of these CME-caused magnetic fields that hit the planet was the Carrington Event in 1859, where the relatively new telegraph network was knocked out. (Related: A nuclear strike, EMP blast or massive cyberattack can take down the power grid – here’s how to survive the immediate aftermath of a grid collapse.)

What causes small-scale EMP?

Compared to large-scale EMPs, small-scale EMPs can still cause damage, but with a more localized effect.

For example, a flash of lightning can cause large currents in any nearby wires, including power transmission wires. This current surge can then cause damage to any of your sensitive electronic equipment, like computers that are connected to the power supply.

Use surge protectors to protect your appliances and devices against EMPs caused by lightning strikes.

How can you protect electronics against an EMP?

EMP causes large currents on wires in its path. The same effect can be seen when a wire is moved through a magnetic field.

The wires could be large power transmission lines or the tiny wires on printed circuit boards. The induced currents may be much larger than the wire, or anything connected to it, is designed to handle.

Huge induced currents will fry the wires and connected equipment.

A large-scale EMP can cause the massive destruction of the power grid, communication network and electrical or electronic equipment.

Before SHTF, protect your devices with a Faraday shield or Faraday cage. These enclosures can help block the contents of an electromagnetic field.

A Faraday shield is fully enclosed with conductive material while a Faraday cage is a mesh of conductive material. Putting your electrical equipment inside a Faraday cage can help protect them from the effects of an EMP.

You can either buy a small Faraday bag for your phone or make a Faraday cage container for bigger devices.

Preparing for an EMP attack

As a prepper, you should always prepare for the worst, and that includes getting ready for an EMP attack.

Once the grid goes down after an attack, your neighborhood could lose electrical power supply and electrical equipment or devices will eventually stop working.

Shops and banks need electricity to process transactions. Some shops may close or only allow cash sales.

Banks will close and ATMs will stop working. You won’t be able to withdraw cash from your bank accounts.

The majority of the water supply uses power for pumping and water processing. Hours after the grid goes down, the water supply will also fail. You’ll soon run out of water for drinking, hygiene or flushing toilets.

The transportation network could fail next. Even if the transport network still works, without power the food production industry will soon come to a halt.

Before disaster strikes, make sure you have enough food in your stockpile for the whole family. You will also need water for drinking and other tasks like cleaning, doing the dishes and gardening. If you have pets at home, stock up on pet supplies, pet food and treats as well.

Prepare alternate communication plans and get a ham and CB radio. Stock up on medication for family members with underlying health conditions and stock up on first aid kit supplies.

If you think the situation can get violent, get extra ammunition for your firearms and learn how to protect your loved ones when SHTF. Desperate people might target those who have supplies that they need as stores run out of items.

If bugging out is a part of your emergency preparedness plans, pack bug-out bags for the whole family. Don’t forget to get fuel and supplies for your bug-out vehicle.

Before SHTF, prepare for both small- and large-scale EMP events in your area. Make sure you have everything you need to survive for weeks to several months without power.

Watch the video below to learn how to make your vehicles EMP-proof.

This video is from the Heaven Reigns channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

EMP survival: 4 Ways to protect your home from an EMP attack.

A prepper’s guide to surviving a power grid attack.

Skills, strategies and supplies you’ll need to prep for an EMP, solar flares.

What you need to know about EMPs.

Surviving in a post-EMP world.

Sources include:

UKPrepper.Life

SHTFBlog.com

Brighteon.com