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On September 1, 1859, auroras lit up the night sky. Telegraph lines sparked. Operators were shocked at their keys. The world had just experienced the Carrington Event—the most powerful solar storm ever recorded. If that same storm happened today, we wouldn’t be talking about fried telegraphs. We’d face the potential loss of the power grid and nearly every aspect of modern life that depends on electricity.
That’s why, on this Carrington anniversary and the kickoff of National Preparedness Month, I’m re-releasing my conversation with NASA engineer and EMP expert Dr. Arthur Bradley. Dr. Bradley did an excellent job of breaking down the facts, the myths, and the very real steps you can take to protect yourself from both electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attacks and coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
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TL;DR: The Carrington Event proves a massive solar storm—or EMP—can take down the grid. Here’s what survives, what fails, and how to prepare.
Quick Look at What You’ll Learn
Watch the Full Episode
What Is an EMP (and How Is It Different from a CME)?
Dr. Bradley explained that EMPs and CMEs are often confused, but they’re not the same thing:
- EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse): Triggered by a high-altitude nuclear detonation. It produces three waves—E1, E2, and E3—each damaging in a different way. The short, sharp E1 wave is what fries sensitive electronics. The E3 wave surges across long power lines, causing widespread devastation to the grid.
- CME (Coronal Mass Ejection): A solar eruption. Unlike EMP, it doesn’t have the E1 or E2 effects—it’s basically an E3 on steroids. It can overwhelm long conductors, such as electrical transmission lines, damaging transformers, and causing the grid to collapse.
Dr. Bradley put it bluntly: “An EMP is a maybe. A CME is a certainty.” The sun will throw another Carrington-style event at Earth again someday. The only question is when.
Why EMPs Matter Right Now
- Nation-State Threats: Russia and China have openly discussed EMP weapons. The U.S. has them too. The risk isn’t whether the technology exists—it’s whether someone decides to use it.
- Terrorist Potential: A hostile actor doesn’t need to be a superpower. If they acquire the technology and capability, they could detonate an EMP and cripple portions of the country.
- Grid Vulnerability: The U.S. grid is a patchwork of utilities and fragile transformers that can take months—or years—to replace. Little has been done to harden it against EMPs or CMEs.
Bradley’s take: “We’ve tested for decades. The military hardens some systems. But the civilian grid? It’s wide open.”
What Happens If One Hits?
If a high-altitude EMP or Carrington-level CME hit today, here’s the likely timeline:
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- Day 1: Lights go out. Phones drop to SOS mode. Most people think it’s a blackout and wait for the power to turn back on.
- Day 2: Confusion grows. Generators begin to run out of fuel. Water systems begin failing. Cars, unable to refuel, start becoming lawn ornaments.
- Days 3–5: People begin to realize this isn’t a routine blackout. With no reliable information and essential services failing, anxiety rises—leading to civil unrest. Bradley noted that it would resemble Hurricane Katrina, but on a national scale.
- Weeks 1-2: Law enforcement and first responders begin to abandon their posts to protect their families. Supply chains collapse. Food runs short. And, it gets worse from there.
What Survives and What Doesn’t
- Unplugged simple devices: Safe. Think flashlights, tools, anything without microchips.
- Modern electronics: At risk, especially if plugged into the grid.
- Vehicles: Some may stall. Many could restart after a battery reset. Older, simpler cars are less vulnerable.
- Batteries: AA, AAA, and other basic chemical batteries are fine.
- Nuclear power plants: Despite fears, U.S. reactors have multiple fail-safes. They can cool rods with backup generators, portable systems, and last-resort water flooding. It’s not risk-free, but Bradley’s research suggests meltdown isn’t the default outcome.
How to Protect Yourself
Preparedness is about buying down risk and giving yourself options. Here are practical steps:
For Your Electronics
- Faraday bags or cages: Store spare radios, flash drives, and small devices.
- Distributed protection: Multiple small surge protectors (such as Bradley’s TRAPs) are more effective than a single large solution.
For Your Vehicle
- EMP kits: Add transient protection devices across the battery, OBD-II port, and auxiliary plugs.
- Parking in metal buildings: Even a basic metal shed reduces exposure by up to 90%.
For Your Home
- Main panel surge protector: The Siemens FS140 is a strong choice.
- Ferrites on mains: Clip them around incoming power lines to dampen surges.
- Surge-protected strips: Plug computers, TVs, and sensitive devices into them.
- Faraday storage: Radios, backups, and spare gear should live in Faraday bags when not in use.
Bradley’s rule of thumb: “There are no guarantees with EMPs. You’re just buying down your risk.”
The Bottom Line
The Carrington Event wasn’t science fiction—it happened. And it’ll happen again. Whether it’s a solar CME or a man-made EMP, the outcome is the same: lights out, systems down, and most people caught flat-footed.
For the full conversation with Dr. Arthur Bradley, listen to the re-released podcast episode. You’ll walk away with a clear picture of the threat—and more importantly, what you can do about it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Carrington Event?
The Carrington Event was a massive solar storm in 1859 that caused widespread auroras and disrupted telegraph systems. If it were to happen today, it could disable large sections of the power grid.
How is a CME different from an EMP?
A CME is a natural solar event that affects long conductors, such as power lines. An EMP is a man-made burst, usually from a nuclear detonation, that can also damage smaller electronics and vehicles.
Can modern vehicles survive an EMP?
Some can. Newer cars may stall but often restart. Damage depends on orientation, design, and what systems were active at the time.
Do Faraday bags really protect electronics?
Yes, properly constructed Faraday bags or cages can block the electromagnetic energy from an EMP, protecting radios, drives, and small electronics.
Is the U.S. power grid protected against EMPs?
No. While some military systems are hardened, most of the civilian grid remains vulnerable to both EMPs and CMEs.
📌 Next StepsReread the key takeaways and ask yourself: What breaks first in your world if the power goes out—and what’s your backup? What gear, skills, or gaps need attention? Drop your answers in the comments. Someone else might learn from what you’ve figured out—or help you spot what you missed.
