Solar Storm Fever Heating Up

Last Updated on June 2, 2020 by

The Internet is still flaring up in the wake of an announcement by NASA that a storm from space could knock out electricity and disable the power grid for months or even longer as early as 2013.  And while some are saying it’s likely to happen much sooner, a few are asking about preparations that could be made to keep such a disaster from ruining their lives.  But how are people preparing for such a massive and looming catastrophe?

With the fear at an unusual high in relation to the sun, and X class solar flares currently tearing through the Earth’s magnetosphere, there’s no telling what the future holds.  But in the spirit of ever mounting speculation a few are making some simple suggestions that could make all the difference in the world when it comes to a solar storm like the Carrington event.

First on the list are ways people will get information.  Electricity can be restored fairly quickly, but with a massive event knocking out satellites worldwide, there’s a chance communication could be disrupted across the globe for hours or even days.  World leaders have revised methods in place to ensure they can still convene and communicate, but there is much still left to the imagination when it comes to just how the average citizen can get information and news.  Radio broadcast stations could be impacted in such a way that precious equipment is fried temporarily or even permanently depending on the impact of the situation.  Brownouts and even blackouts could range from roaming inconveniences to a worldwide shutdown of everything.

Several resources have been drafted in order to prepare for such an event, and these have ranged from the long term return to a simpler way of life to the short term stocking of supplies until help finally arrives and the world can return to some semblance of normal.  But this would not be the case immediately as some analysts in one report of the Financial Times called the event the “Global Hurricane Katrina” that could immediately do $2 trillion in damages and require several months before it was restored (if those in charge did everything right and nothing new interrupted the recovery process).

While a list detailing the various things (water, food, secure shelter, and a means of gathering information) can be found anywhere, there are other things you will need to take into consideration if the sun were to go crazy.  Those preparing should consider the things they need by taking stock of the things they do in their lives and the things they use and then making preparations accordingly.  Of course a catastrophe this large requires a great deal of preparation and it isn’t a guarantee either even if NASA scientists are warning it might be in the cards.  And so this has to be taken into consideration as well.  Don’t forget about Y2K and the fortunes spent on preparations that never came to be needed.  The goal in preparing is to reasonably assess what you need and responsibly channel that information so you can come to a wise decision.  Many disaster preparedness experts are hoping for another Y2K, but preparing for something more.