Opus 2012-157, Preparedness: EMP Attack

Recently we have seen the paralysis caused by extreme storms.  Much of the Middle Atlantic section of the country has suffered through extended periods without power, water and communications.  It was amazing how slow to recover some areas were and are. 

The lessons continued in a recent lightening storm.  When you checked the weather on-line it simply said hot with a chance of thunder storms.  It was hot and there were thunder storms.  I enjoy thunder storms.  We are not talking about someone in panic or fearing for my life.  I did not hide in the basement or quiver in the corner. 

It was an impressive display.  I lost count of how many times the power went out and came back on.  The system seemed to be working.  The cutouts and redundancy kept things running.  Then came the Big One.  The lightening hit so close that the thunder seemed to get to me before the light.  On that one I jumped.  I think it was that one that took us out of contact with the rest of the world but I was not aware of that little fact.  Later I got in the car and drove to a family dinner twenty minutes away where there had been almost no action.  I did not find out the consequences until returning that night.

My son told me that the storm had taken out all phone service and the internet.  The “boxes” in the area seemed to have been neutralized systematically, almost like the lightening were a tool of terrorists.  He was able to use his cell phone and it seems that the entire area was worked over.  It will be two days before they get to us to restore our service.  They will be so busy that I will need to be home all day so they can get in the house. 

Today it is just an inconvenience but it is also a teaching moment.  Now I will be able to experience what I will lose if a real emergency hits.  I will have much to learn.  So will you.  Take advantage of the situation.  Some day it may not be short term or a drill.

homo unius libri