"
The book “One Second After”, described such a scenario."
Yes. Routes to rural areas would be blocked first for the purpose of protecting rural areas from crime (with many extra checkpoints along routes through rural areas). Gas stations would be unable to pump gas and closed. Emergency/rescue/camping areas would be prepared around cities. Parks in rural areas would be closed and cleared by police and National Guard. For the most part, people most accustomed to hard manual labor, technical work and agricultural work would survive.
Here's what any nation that can launch a satellite could do. As accessed on 11/13/2011:
http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/report/1984/ERD.htm EMP
Submitted To
Mr. Wiggins
In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements
for Written Communications
The Marine Corps Command and Staff College
Quantico, Virginia
Major R. D. Erick
United States Marine Corps
April 6, 1984
Excerpt:
“However, the effects produced by a nuclear explosion were not fully realized until the “Johnston Island Test” in 1962. This nuclear blast had a yield of 1.4 megatons at an altitude of 250 miles. The explosion damaged a number of low earth orbit satellites and caused malfunctions and early failure of others. Another effect that was noted during the blast was a blackout up to 600 miles away of high frequency radio communications that lasted for hours. It was caused by disruption of the ionosphere. It also popped circuit breakers, street lights went out, burglar alarms rang, and power lines went down in Honolulu, about 800 miles away. In Nov. 1962, all above ground testing was halted and our testing and analysis was limited to underground testing, analysis of the existing atmospheric test data, nonnuclear simulation, and theoretical calculations.”
An excellent book that really opened my eyes to just how un-prepared I was.
As for a single EMP burst over America; it will take more than that to wipe out the whole country. Sure, we will be feeling lots of pain as a result, but the country as a whole will not be lost.
And I wonder what Canada and Mexico think of this Iranian plan. It’s not like the pulse will stop at the borders.