08/25/2023 / By Olivia Cook
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.”
Here are some steps to take to prepare for power grid disruption:
Grow your own food and medicine by creating a sustainable survival garden.
Store the following:
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.
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.
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.
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 in mind that gas stations need electricity to power their pumps.
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.
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.
Earth just dodged a potentially apocalyptic-level solar storm – are we safe?
NASA can only give a warning 30 minutes before a killer solar storm, so PREPARE before SHTF.
GPS-dependent America is one solar storm away from collapse.
LIGHTS OUT: 20 Things you need to do during a power outage.
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