Posted on 10/27/2013 4:56:01 AM PDT by Libloather
A catastrophic, prolonged failure of the electrical grid—the sort of event whose effects are depicted in National Geographic Channel’s upcoming American Blackout, which premieres Sunday—may seem like just apocalyptic science fiction to some viewers. Unfortunately, though, the possibility of such a breakdown is all too real. (See related interactive: “Survive the Blackout.”)
Government and utility industry officials are so concerned, in fact, that in November, they will stage a massive emergency drill, called GridEx II, that will involve thousands of utility workers, business executives, National Guard officers, FBI antiterrorism experts and government officials from the U.S., Canada and Mexico. They’ll practice responding to a simulated failure of large parts of the electrical system across North America. (See related quiz: “What You Don’t Know About Electricity.”)
(Excerpt) Read more at energyblog.nationalgeographic.com ...
“I am so screwed*.”
Once again, we know you have an exciting sex life but we don’t want to hear about it. (but you could send me a Freepmail describing in detail if you want) I promise not to post it on here - you can trust me - sure, you can.
I agree. Realize that utilities aren’t identical in their decision making. With a thing like a wall, that’s a local decision (I’m guessing, but pretty sure). I know the utility I work for has built some “low profile” subs in areas that people didn’t want to look at a substation, but even a low profile sub has a chain link fence.
“What about an EMP attack? Are we ready for that?”
No, but this exercise will test capabilities that would be useful in that event too.
The grid is very complex. Just getting the right folks to talk to each other at the proper time is tough enough. I suspect that’s probably what this is mostly about.
Who we kidding? I haven’t had sex since Sputnik.
So true. Prepping is addictive anyway so once they get two weeks they will likely go for four weeks. :-)
I better go do my laundry.
So did you watch Nat Geo Blackout Movie tonight? Any after viewing reports?
In a completely related story, this spring, for the first time in anyone’s memory, the Yukon River backed up and sent a wall of water about 16 feet high through our little village up here in Alaska, basically destroying the place. I was lucky; the only things we lost were all our vehicles, the contents of our garage, everything in storage, our gardens, root cellar, and greenhouses, most of our food, and most of my tools. The water came within one feet of my floor but did not get it wet. Praise God for that small miracle.
The reason for me bringing this up is that no one, ever, thought a flood this destructive would happen, even as the water was rising.
The electrical grid is a lot like that river. Will the grid implode? Will the grid crash so badly that folks are left without power for months or years? Maybe we’ll never see it. Maybe there will be a powerful solar flare tomorrow that will make the Carrington Event seem like a candle. All I know, having gone through that flood, is not to discount the unpredictable and the possible. I would hope that the grid never goes down, but I try to have the wherewithal and the supplies to weather whatever the Lord brings my way.
Those of us that have been living through all of the hurricanes that have hit us in Mississippi since Betsy are prepared. Some parts of America will never be prepared.
Yes, I agree. I have friends that actually run power generation for the Southern Company. What you say is true and things must be done to update and improve the system but the government caused much of this.
Yes and we at FR watch all. We see what they refuse to see.
I know of what you speak, ha ha. Nov 3rd 2002, we had a 7.9 shaker; ground opened up in my front yard; half expected the devil himself to come leaping out. Had a huge burn 40 miles across burn past our place in 2004; sprayers surrounding our house to wet her down when fire ran past. 5 years back, the Yukon flooded bad; 500 year flood; trees that had been here 300 years gone. I keep wondering what’s coming nx; then I realize what Big Ears got planned. That will be the toughest one to survive.
Yes, his evil will be the worst. We will win... I have read the BOOK.
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