[Conspiracy Guy]

Preventing the cascade requires swift human reaction. Some but not all automation. In the area we are talking about the grid is so dense that one false move results in this. Each station requires human hands to say uh oh and start issuing commands. It would most likely never occur in another part of the country except the West Coast. After the pinball game is over the humans really have to work hard. Restoring power is hell due to the surge/load/down again routine. Transformers and circuit breakers and even sub-stations need hands on.

I'll stick to weather.

[Malsua]

>>Preventing the cascade requires swift human reaction. <<

ABC Radio is reporting that the entire grid went down in 9 seconds. Which is about how I recall it.

A blink, then the fans on the lasers started slowing...then back up...and then slowing and then out. It was definately under 30 seconds.

I can't imagine anyone even got to a console to answer a warning light, much less react in that amount of time.