[Tenacious 1]

I could be wrong but, like Man Made Globul Warming, no one has been able to convince me that this level of catastrophe would be the case. I have never seen proof that EMP can so affect a system that is designed and built with surge protection belt and suspenders so robustly.

I understand how electricity works and understand how an EMP affects the actual charge in a system (spike up/down). But that doesn't make stuff “Blow up” and ruin everything. Replace fuses, throw switches and start turning stuff back on.

Sure, there would be a lot of damage. But I suspect the blast, heat and bright light would do far more concerning damage than folks being without power for up to a couple weeks.

I could be wrong on all of this. But I have asked several to show me, beyond the theoretical, an instance, experiment or happenstance that would support the theory that one nuclear warhead detonated at the right altitude of the US would destroy all our electronics. It sounds sexy and seems to sell well. It has drama and intrigue. But, like tidal waves from global warming, I hold some skepticism until there is some “real” scientific evidence.

[EEGator]

This article is total crap. It’s a good idea to keep supplies handy in case of any emergency. There is no need for sensationalistic nonsense.

[driftdiver]

EMP doesn’t blow fuses, it blows chips.

[wbill]

You're about right in your assessment. An EMP blast would not be a good thing, but not the end of the world as we know it.

Close in to the blast would be bad. The rest of the country - you're right. Replace fuses, etc etc etc. Cars will still start. Generators will still run. Most power will still run, or will be restored quickly. Lots of critical infrastructure is already hardened, or hardened enough to survive. And so on and so on.

But, it's a lot easier and more fun for people with Armageddon Fantasies to believe the worst and scare everyone else.

BTW, I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn last night, but I *am* an Electrical Engineer.