Understanding the Devastating Threat of an EMP Attack
An EMP (electromagnetic pulse) attack is one of the most catastrophic disasters that could strike the modern world, potentially sending society back to the stone age by crippling entire power grids and electronics across vast regions. By understanding exactly how an EMP is generated, the widespread devastation it can unleash, and why the average person is critically underprepared, we can find the motivation to take urgent action in getting ready before disaster strikes.
The Science Behind the Immense Damage of EMPs
EMPs are created from the atmospheric detonation of nuclear weapons, which generates an intense electromagnetic shockwave that can overload, disrupt, and permanently damage electrical systems across hundreds or even thousands of miles. The pulses fry electronics through power surges the same way an unexpected lightning strike can destroy equipment - just on an exponentially larger scale. The higher above the ground the nuclear device detonates, the wider the affected range on the ground below. A high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) centering on the continental U.S. could impact nearly the entire country, devastating electronics from coast-to-coast. An EMP can also be generated through non-nuclear means like intentional electromagnetic interference (EMI) weapons. Natural events like solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the sun can also create EMP-like effects. America's global adversaries like North Korea, Russia, and China have developed EMP technology specifically intended to cripple the United States in an act of asymmetric warfare. We've already witnessed the immense power of EMPs through examples like the 1962 Starfish Prime nuclear test that knocked out electronics 900 miles away in Hawaii.
Widespread Collapse of Critical Infrastructure
The power surge from an EMP essentially overloads and fries delicate electronics ranging from major power transformers to microchips in computers and cars in an instant. Vital infrastructure like power plants, water treatment facilities, transportation networks, and communications would fail immediately. Supply chains and economic activity would grind to a halt. Without electricity, running water, transportation, and functioning computer systems, disorders and panic would erupt rapidly. Hospitals would be unable to provide care without working medical devices, leading to otherwise preventable deaths. Perishable foods would spoil quickly without refrigeration, resulting in critical food shortages within just 1-2 weeks. Societal collapse would ensue within months at most, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 90% of the population from the cascading effects of an EMP catastrophe. Even the government and military lack the resources to sufficiently respond to hundreds of millions of distressed citizens simultaneously across a failed grid.
Unprepared and Oblivious Population
Despite the existential threat posed by EMPs, our heavy reliance on modern technology and electricity means most citizens and communities remain dangerously underprepared while being heavily dependent on vulnerable electronics. According to surveys by emergency preparedness organizations, at least 75% of Americans believe an EMP attack or similar long-duration blackout event is likely to occur within their lifetime. However, less than 25% of households have taken any concrete steps to increase self-reliance through disaster preparedness. Most families have only 1-3 days worth of food and water stockpiled, no contingency communications plans, and limited medical resources. Without properly shielded electronics, operational vehicles, and basic survival knowledge, the average family would lose access to everything from smartphones to cars to life-sustaining medical treatment almost instantly after an EMP.
Top Ways You Can Greatly Improve Your EMP Preparedness
While no one can guarantee full protection from an EMP, prudent contingency planning and preparation taken now, before disaster strikes, can significantly increase your odds of survival. Storing at least 2 weeks of non-perishable emergency food and water is an essential first step, as is accumulating medical supplies to handle injuries without hospitals. Storing additional fuel and supplies for cooking, hygiene, and shelter can prove critical. Installing gas masks and protective clothing provides protection from radioactive fallout originating from the EMP detonation. Building DIY Faraday cages will allow smaller electronics like radios, flashlights, power banks, and other emergency tools to survive the EMP event mostly intact. Hardening your home with surge protectors and shields protects larger essential electronics and appliances. Establishing resilient communications capabilities through secured walkie-talkies, HAM radios, or other contingencies ensures you can gather critical information and reconnect with loved ones. Forming disaster readiness networks and mutual assistance agreements with like-minded neighbors provides vital community-level aid. Read on for more details on exactly how to accomplish these and other preparedness essentials.
Specific Gear and Supplies to Stockpile
Having these basic emergency tools and consumables stockpiled provides immense value:
-
Emergency Food/Water: Freeze-dried meals, canned goods, grains, pasta, rice, beans, peanut butter, dried fruit and nuts. Rotate stock every 6-12 months. Goal: Minimum 2 week supply. Consider adding water filtration systems.
-
First Aid Resources: Trauma kits, disinfectants, antibiotics, prescription meds, surgical tools, etc. know how to handle medical emergencies without hospitals.
-
Essential Electronics: Crank or solar-powered AM/FM radios, walkie-talkies, power banks, LED flashlights, batteries, solar phone chargers, multi-tools. Store properly shielded in Faraday cages when not in use. Rotate/test electronics every 3-6 months.
-
Backup Power: Portable generators, fuel stockpiles, solar panels/battery banks. Store fuel safely and stabilize for long-term storage. Test generators/solar systems monthly.
-
Cash Reserves: Keep at least $1000 in small bills. ATMs and credit/debit cards will be unusable after an EMP.
Building a Simple Faraday Cage
Protecting sensitive electronics from EMP damage is crucial for maintaining vital communication and survival tools that will be essential after a grid-down event. A Faraday cage blocks external electrical fields, safeguarding enclosed devices. With simple materials and proper construction, effective homemade options can be built on nearly any budget.
How Faraday Cages Work
Faraday cages divert damaging electrical current around the exterior of the structure, causing very little disruption to electronics inside. Tightly woven metal mesh or foil layers with smaller openings block electromagnetic interference more effectively. Solid metal enclosures with electrical bonding provide the greatest protection overall. Proper grounding allows electrical surges to safely flow into the earth. The goal is to fully enclose critical electronics in a conductive shell to redirect EMP waves. Cages don't need to be watertight or airtight to be effective. Even basic homemade versions can strongly protect smaller electronics from permanent damage.
Electronics to Secure in a Faraday Cage
- Solar chargers, power banks, rechargeable AA/AAA batteries
- Emergency radios, walkie-talkies, HAM radios
- Laptop in static bag, tablets, hard drives with vital data
- LED flashlights, headlamps, multi-tools, watches, compasses
- Digital thermometers, oscilloscopes, diagnostic tools
Building an Easy DIY Faraday Cage
- Use a metal trash can or thick plastic bucket with lid
- Line inside and lid with cardboard, foam, or bubble wrap
- Wrap outside completely in aluminum foil, taping seams
- Attach ground wire from foil exterior to nearby grounding rod
- Place electronics inside, seal lid to protect them
For more serious protection, you can build robust Faraday cages out of fine copper mesh or galvanized steel panels. But even an basic homemade version like this trash can Faraday cage can strongly shield smaller electronics from catastrophic EMP damage. The key is fully enclosing items in a conductive enclosure that is properly grounded.
Emergency Communication Strategies
When all normal communications infrastructure is disabled post-EMP, having emergency plans and equipment in place to reconnect with loved ones and coordinate resources will prove vital. Solutions like secured HAM/shortwave radios, walkie-talkies, and stored data provide resilient alternatives to stay informed if catastrophe strikes.
HAM and Shortwave Radio Options
Shortwave radios with broad reception are useful, but no license is required. HAM radios require an operator license but handle local two-way communication well and offer greater flexibility across frequencies, range and transmit power. Hand crank or battery-powered models continue working when the grid is down. Joining your local HAM radio association expands your reach and knowledge. With practice, Morse code signaling can also enable long-range comms.
Walkie-Talkies and Two-Way Radios
More affordable than HAM radio gear, walkie-talkies allow short range (1-5 mile) communication quickly between family or community members, especially in rural areas. Weatherproof and wearable models allow hands-free use. Rechargeable batteries or hand crank-powered units are best suited to maintain function after an EMP. Have spare batteries stored in Faraday cages so they'll work when needed most.
Vital Information to Store in Faraday Containers
- Contact names/locations, radio frequencies
- Local maps, evacuation routes
- Meeting points, rally locations
- Community rosters listing skills/resources
- Printouts of key documents and reference manuals
Outline Your Communications Network Ahead of Time
- Identify primary and backup methods to contact each family member or critical ally if disaster strikes.
- Agree on radio frequencies, meeting points, emergency rendezvous sites.
- Maintain a written roster of capabilities and resources within your circle. Update regularly.
- Set reminders to test comms equipment on a monthly basis and rotate supplies accordingly. Don't just buy gear - learn and practice using it.
Hardening Your Home's Electrical System
Protecting your home and equipment against EMPs will be essential to maintain necessities like lighting, cooking abilities, medical devices and other critical electronics after a long-term grid-down. While robust military-grade protections are expensive, many affordable steps can effectively harden key systems and appliances if applied diligently.
Low-Cost Home Hardening Strategies
- Unplug unused appliances to reduce potential damage vectors.
- Install quality surge protectors on electronics and appliances.
- Close blinds/curtains to shield interior from electromagnetic waves entering windows.
- Disconnect coaxial cables when not using antenna-connected devices.
- Upgrade older wiring and electrical panels to withstand surges.
- Inspect home for openings in the shielding and seal gaps with copper tape/mesh.
- Wrap or shield long conductive cables and lines entering the structure.
How to Protect Vehicles from EMP Damage
- Disconnect or remove unnecessary electronics to reduce vulnerability.
- Install EMP-rated surge protector on vehicle electrical system.
- Store unplugged electronic modules in Faraday containers when not in use.
- Replace modern ECUs and electronics with older, more EMP-resilient components.
- Use Faraday cage covers to shield high-value or difficult-to-replace systems.
Prioritize Hardening Critical Systems
Initially focus protection efforts on smaller essential electronics like communications gear, medical equipment, and multi-tools that provide outsized survival value. A single hardened vehicle is extremely useful for supply runs and evacuation. Avoid trying to shield your entire home and fleet simultaneously. Follow the 80/20 rule by identifying and securing the 20% of electronics and systems that will provide 80% of the critical capabilities you'll depend on.
Resources for Additional Hardening Protection
Specialized shielding materials and components offer enhanced EMP protection for those willing to invest more significantly:
-
Military-spec Faraday fabric to construct high-strength EMI-blocking enclosures and bags.
-
Shielded wiring, cables, connectors and surge protectors to harden electrical systems.
-
EMP-protected generator/electronics cases to secure larger sensitive equipment.
-
Vehicle hardening kits and upgrades to retrofit automotive electronics against EMPs.
Leveraging qualified electricians, contractors, mechanics, and radio operators greatly assists in planning and implementing more robust EMP protections.
Summary: Key Steps to Get Ready Now
EMP and solar storms pose a genuine threat to collapse critical infrastructure and supply chains through widespread disruption and destruction of vulnerable electronics. However, most citizens and communities remain dangerously underprepared while heavily dependent on equipment that would fail instantly. Taking achievable low-cost steps now like accumulating a 2 week stockpile of emergency supplies, building DIY Faraday cages, establishing resilient communication capabilities, and hardening your home's electrical systems will substantially improve your chances of successfully weathering an EMP or long-duration blackout. Gaining knowledge, resources, and practical skills ahead of any catastrophe provides immense peace of mind that you've done everything within your power to protect yourself and your loved ones regardless of what the future holds.
Visit www.WeLovePrepping.com today for additional disaster preparedness guides, gear recommendations, and resources to help you get ready for any emergency. Invest in preparedness now before it's too late - your survival may depend on it.
