Are you ready when the lights go out? Rare solar storm could fry power grids, warns British physicist

By oliviacook // 2023-08-25

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Mathew Owens, a British physicist and professor of space physics at the University of Reading, has warned that a once-in-century solar storm could fry power grids and knock out satellites. The sun's activity is currently growing and scientists are particularly concerned about the ongoing solar cycle. It is already more active than the previous cycle, which means the sun could become more active than it has been in the past two decades. The current solar cycle is already wreaking havoc, with powerful solar flares causing radio blackouts that disrupt long-haul flights. Elon Musk's SpaceX also lost 40 Starlink satellites as a solar storm caused the atmosphere to expand, increasing the drag for the satellites and causing them to burn up. (Related: Lost in space: Solar storm destroys 38 Starlink satellites, costing Elon Musk's company tens of millions in losses.) "We've gotten several solar storm warnings over the past decade. With constant news that the power grid is overwhelmed, at some point, we could actually see it go down," said Dr. Daniel Verscharen, an associate professor of Space and Climate Physics at the University College London. "The much stronger events don't happen every cycle. But during a maximum of a strong cycle like the one that is coming, it's more likely to get some of those events that cause power outages here on Earth."

Things to do before the next blackout

Here are some steps to take to prepare for power grid disruption:

Build your survival stockpile

Grow your own food and medicine by creating a sustainable survival garden. Store the following:

Water. You can store emergency water in your vehicle in soft-sided insulated containers; coolers or water jugs; 55-gallon drums or large PVC pipes capped at both ends that you can store underground; or large steel tanks that absorb heat from the sun above ground. (Related: Long-term water storage: Tips for stockpiling water in 55-gallon drums in your garage.)

Healthy shelf-stable foods that you and your family eat in daily life (and will like to eat in times of crisis situations), including whole grains; canned/preserved fruits, vegetables, meat, fish and poultry; nuts and seeds; and beans and legumes. (Related: 10 hardy vegetables you can stockpile for at least a year, even without refrigeration.)

Storable staple foods, including salt, honey, apple cider vinegar, baking soda, coconut oil, herbs and spices.

Special "survival food" that you don't tear open until an emergency, such as MRE (meals, ready-to-eat) rations.

First aid medical supplies, including prescription medicines required by members of your family, over-the-counter must-have medications, sanitizers, antibacterial substances and medical supplies. Have battery backups for medical equipment if someone in your family relies on a medical device. Research what battery backups are available.

Cash. You would be wise to have an emergency fund at your home – at least $1,000 in a variety of $20, $10, $5 and $1 bills would be smart.

Barter items. Keep in mind that cash could potentially become useless too and bartering could take the place of cash in a long enough blackout. For this reason, consider building up a stash of barter items that you can exchange for your specific needs.

Items and tools that do not run on electricity, such as kitchen tools (manual can openers, hand-cranked grain grinder), general handyman tools (hand drills, hand saws) and gardening tools.

Create "lights-out" boxes or power outage kits

These are portable boxes or containers, plastic totes and/or large duffel bags – the first things you look for in the event of a blackout or a power outage. Some items to place in your "lights-out" boxes or power outage kits are flashlights, headlamps and/or glow sticks for each member of the family, rechargeable batteries, battery testers, multiple-source chargers, first-aid kits, candles, matches, lighters and other fire-starters, extension cords, etc. Make sure everyone in the family knows the location of the box so that it is easy to retrieve during a blackout.

Purchase a hand-cranked weather/emergency radio

Hand crank radios are considered an emergency kit essential by emergency authorities. The best emergency crank radios provide NOAA weather alerts, sustainable power and light. In an age where people are virtually helpless without cell phones and the internet, these radios can be a beacon of hope when you need them most.

Invest in a portable generator

A portable generator may be a wise investment, especially if you live in an area that is increasingly affected by severe weather-related events. Depending on the size and type you get, you may be able to keep your lights on and your appliances running for several hours to several days. Most models are gasoline-powered and need to operate well away from your home due to dangerous fumes. Some options are battery-operated.

Plan "unplugged" activities

Reliance on electronics for entertainment can make boredom a big problem for all ages during power outages. "Unplugged" activities include playing card games and board games; solving jigsaw and word puzzles; and reading books.

Keep your car's tank at least half full

Keep in mind that gas stations need electricity to power their pumps.

Purchase power inverters for your vehicle

Power inverters are devices that convert the direct current (DC) from your car or truck into alternating current (AC) that can power some of your devices and appliances.

Develop a survival mindset

Focus on ensuring that you and your loved ones will be safe when the grid goes down. Be prepared to endure hardships and be self-reliant. (Related: Ways to develop mental toughness and a survivor mindset when SHTF.) Visit Preparedness.news for more stories like this. Watch this video that talks about the rare solar storm that can destroy power grids. This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com.

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