⚡ The Collapse Chronicles: EMPs & Solar Events
- Coby Coonradt
- Jul 24
- 4 min read
Could One Burst Really End Modern Civilization?
Imagine waking up and nothing works. No lights. No internet. No cell service. No cars moving. The world is silent—and it’s not coming back online.
That’s not a sci-fi plot. It’s the terrifyingly real outcome experts warn about when it comes to electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) and solar storms. In this episode of The Collapse Chronicles, we explore what these invisible threats are, how they could bring modern society to its knees, and what preppers can do to survive it.
☀️ What Are EMPs and Solar Events?
Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP)
An EMP is a sudden burst of electromagnetic energy that can fry anything with circuits—from your phone to the national power grid.
There are two major kinds:
Nuclear EMPs (HEMP): These are caused by a nuclear weapon detonated high in the atmosphere. The blast creates three types of pulses:
E1: A fast, sharp pulse that destroys microelectronics.
E2: Like a lightning strike—less dangerous, but adds stress to systems.
E3: A slow pulse that induces powerful currents into long electrical lines, melting transformers and infrastructure.
A single high-altitude EMP could shut down electronics across a continent.
Non-Nuclear EMPs (NNEMP): Tactical devices that disable electronics in a local area—think of them as directed, smaller-scale versions used on command centers or airports.
Solar Events (CMEs / Solar Flares)
These are natural eruptions from the sun. A Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) is a cloud of charged particles hurled at Earth. When it slams into our magnetosphere, it can cause geomagnetic storms that wreak havoc on power lines and satellite systems.
🔥 This Has Happened Before
The Carrington Event (1859)The largest solar storm ever recorded. Telegraph systems caught fire. Operators were shocked. Auroras danced across the skies near the equator. If that happened today? We’d be facing months or years without power. Read more
1989 Quebec Blackout A much smaller solar storm caused a full blackout in Quebec within 2 minutes—leaving 6 million in the dark. Transformers in the U.S. were damaged. Full case study
2012 CME Near Miss In July 2012, a CME of Carrington-level power missed Earth by just 9 days. If it had hit, NASA confirmed it could have triggered global technological collapse. NASA report
Starfish Prime (1962)A U.S. high-altitude nuclear test created an EMP that knocked out lights in Hawaii—900 miles away. It proved how real the danger is.
🧨 Why It Matters
A Carrington-level solar storm or EMP attack wouldn’t be a short power outage—it would destroy transformers, fry satellites, and erase our ability to function in the modern world.
The Domino Effect:
Power grids fail - Custom-built transformers take up to 18 months to replace—if manufacturing and shipping even exist post-event.
Vehicles stop - Most modern cars rely on microchips. Even partial EMP effects could jam traffic and disable travel.
Food supply collapses - No power = no refrigeration, no delivery trucks, no restocking grocery shelves.
Communications go dark - Cell towers, satellites, and internet infrastructure would be gone.
Hospitals overwhelmed - Digital records vanish. Backup generators may fail. Medical supply chains crash.
Economy implodes - Banking systems rely on power and the internet. Digital transactions? Gone. ATMs? Dead. Cash becomes king—until it runs out.
Civil unrest begins - With no food, no money, and no answers, panic would set in fast—especially in cities.
🧰 Prepper Response Plan: What You Can Do
Here’s how to protect your home, family, and sanity in a blackout that could last years:
Water & Food
Stockpile at least 30 days of water (or purification methods).
Get low-tech cooking gear (rocket stove, manual grain mills).
Faraday Protection
Shield critical electronics (radios, solar chargers, flashlights) in Faraday bags or cages.
Test your setup—if a phone doesn’t ring inside it, that’s a good sign.
Vehicles
Older, carbureted vehicles are best.
Store backup ECUs or solenoids in a Faraday cage.
Know how to fix your vehicle if it’s your bug-out plan.
Backup Power
Solar panels and battery banks—EMP-rated if possible.
Keep gas-powered generators disconnected and protected.
Store fuel with stabilizers.
Communication
Get a HAM radio license and gear.
Make rally plans and communication protocols now.
Security & Community
Form neighborhood watch groups.
Fortify entry points and prep self-defense tools.
Knowledge & Skill
Learn off-grid skills (gardening, repairs, first aid).
Print guides—don’t rely on Kindle or cloud storage.
Mental Toughness
Run blackout weekends as drills.
Prep your kids and family emotionally for chaos.
Financial Prep
Keep small bills and barter goods (ammo, alcohol, silver).
Maintain printed records of critical info.
Sanitation & Waste
Build or buy a composting toilet setup.
Plan safe disposal strategies to prevent disease.
🎯 Final Thoughts
The scariest part about EMPs and solar storms? We wouldn’t see it coming. One blast from the sun—or a rogue nation’s missile—could flip the switch on civilization.
But this is what preppers do best: Plan for the worst so we’re not caught off guard.
Challenge of the Week:
Blackout your house for 24 hours. No phones. No lights.
Test your Faraday bag or cage.
Audit your car’s EMP vulnerability.
Then ask yourself—are you really ready for the lights to go out?
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