Note – An extended grid down situation is one thing that would take America out of the end time equation and accelerate the fulfillment of what the prophets prophesied as taking place around Israel at the end of the age. This grid failure could happen because of a solar or nuclear EMP or it may even take place because of a sophisticated cyber attack.
I have read many articles and written several articles myself on the danger of any EMP attack on America, but I ran across what I think is the best scientific description and analysis of the three components (E1, E2, and E3) from a nuclear EMP that I have read.
The article is, “EMP Attacks—What the U.S. Must Do Now“, by James Carafano, Ph.D. and Richard Weitz, Ph.D. What is said in this article is founded on well documented information. The article gives 48 references.
Here is the opening paragraph from this article (bold emphasis mine).
An electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack represents one of the greatest threats imaginable—to the United States and the world. An EMP occurs when a nuclear device is detonated high in the atmosphere—a phenomenon of which America’s enemies are well aware. The electromagnetic discharge can permanently disable the electrical systems that run nearly all civilian and military infrastructures. A massive EMP attack on the United States would produce almost unimaginable devastation. Communications would collapse, transportation would halt, and electrical power would simply be non-existent. Not even a global humanitarian effort would be enough to keep hundreds of millions of Americans from death by starvation, exposure, or lack of medicine. Nor would the catastrophe stop at U.S. borders. Most of Canada would be devastated, too, as its infrastructure is integrated with the U.S. power grid. Without the American economic engine, the world economy would quickly collapse. Much of the world’s intellectual brain power (half of it is in the United States) would be lost as well. Earth would most likely recede into the “new” Dark Ages.
That paragraph does not shock me because I have read that an EMP would be a complete national catastrophe many times before. Even so, I found information in this article that I did not know until now. For example, I did not know that a Faraday cage or a grounding device will not protect electronic equipment from the E1 first phase of an EMP.
Apparently, the only way to protect electronic equipment from the E1 (free-field energy) pulse is if specialized technology is integrated into the equipment when the competent is manufactured. Even then the electronic device could fail if the EMP was stronger than the shield.
The article also gives a hair curling detailed analysis of what would happen in the U.S. after a successful EMP attack. In short, few Americans would survive.
We were quite stupid to have put ourselves in such a vulnerable position where our very survival is totally dependent on electronics and an electricity grid that is highly vulnerable to be taken down. Doing nothing about this vulnerability over the years even borders on insanity and a national death wish. Our electronics and the national grid could be taken from us in seconds by a hostile nation with a nuke or even by a solar storm. With America’s total dependence on the grid and just in time inventory, our national security was compromised for having just a bit more productivity.
We know that Russia and China have the capabilities to deliver an EMP attack against the United States. North Korea and Iran also have or will soon have EMP attack capabilities. It is totally irresponsible to do little or nothing to fix our infrastructure vulnerabilities. The security issues have to be fixed if we intend to survive as a nation. The cost of fixing this security risk should be a distant secondary issue.
The only defense we now really have against a nuclear EMP is our own nuclear response against those that might attack us. Even so, our nuclear weapons capability is aging and is diminishing with every new arms reduction treaty. What we have left can still do great damage to a nation like Russia or China, but it would not totally destroy those nations. These nations think they can survive a nuclear attack by America. That is why Russia and China are actively developing vast underground shelters for such an eventuality. After a successful EMP attack on our grid and electronics dependent infrastructures, our country would be totally crippled. America would have little further capabilities to fight a war after the initial retaliation.
We know that Iran and North Korea are also trying to develop nuclear EMP capabilities so we have to do something about their threat. Nor, can we totally discount an Islamic bomb from Pakistan delivered into the hands of Islamic terrorists.
Those on the Far Left that think that Iran and North Korea are not a threat to America are a Marxist cult of fools. Somehow, those on the Far Left seem to think they will reap benefits if the America that they so despise is brought down. The reality is that they would be among the first to reap the negative consequences after a grid failure. Maybe grid failure will be God’s way of dealing with the cult occupying the urban Sodom and Gomorrah of our coastal plains.
The article goes into great detail about how an EMP would impact America. You might want to read it to find out the catastrophic gruesome details.
This paper also tells of four things that America needs to do to minimize the threat:
- Prevent the threat. Regardless of the mitigation and response measures, a massive EMP impact could have a devastating impact on the United States. Washington must pursue an aggressive protect-and-defend strategy, including comprehensive missile defense; modernizing the U.S. nuclear deterrent; and adopting proactive nonproliferation and counterproliferation measures, both unilaterally and in partnership with allies.
- Provide resilience. Measures must be adopted to ensure the resilience of the U.S.–Canadian electrical grid and telecommunications systems, including developing limited redundancy and identifying means for the timely replacement of essential damaged parts or their rapid substitution.
- Plan for the unthinkable. The U.S. must have robust pre-disaster planning—with practical exercises that include top officials who rehearse a wide variety of contingency scenarios—that integrates federal, state, local, private-sector, non-governmental organizations, and international support.
- Protect the capacity to communicate. The U.S. must have the means to establish assured emergency broadcast as well as interactive communications both within the U.S. and across the globe. An EMP strike can easily obliterate America’s electrical, telecommunications, transportation, financial, food, and water infrastructures, rendering the United States helpless to coordinate actions and deliver services essential for daily life. In the words of Arizona Senator Jon Kyl, EMP “is one of only a few ways that the United States could be defeated by its enemies. The time to prepare is now.
All are easier said than done. Just providing the necessary resilience would be an enormous effort that would take many years. I do not have any short-term easy solution for an EMP. This problem should have been dealt with decades ago so. Because we have done nothing, we have put ourselves in a place where we will be at risk for years to come. What needs to be done immediately is decentralization of critical infrastructures. We also should build up strategic regional stockpiles. In addition, our ultra high voltage transformers and power generators need to be protected from the E2 and E3 components of an EMP.
The protection of our transformers can be done at reasonable cost through the installment of various safety devices. We could have and should have already started on this project to protect our transformers but Congress is more interested in pleasing special interests that are giving them campaign contributions.
The long-term solution might be a completely different type of computer chip. One with computing based more on light or biology. Also, replacing copper wires with fiber optics should remedy much of the communications risks in the not too distant future.
Most people in America could not now survive without having electricity and electronics. So, we better find ways to protect our critical infrastructures. Even if mankind were to somehow eliminate all nuclear weapons in the world, a large solar EMP is still a regular natural occurrence. A solar storm strong enough to take down our grid happens about every 100 years on the average. Unless people want to see “The Day the Earth Stood Still” play out in real life, they need to get their representatives working on our vulnerabilities.
Having said all that, I hope you do realize that for over a decade our government has not even been following the recommendations of their own hired experts reporting to them on this threat. Therefore, until the government takes this threat seriously and does something about it, America is still only one EMP attack away from complete national catastrophe.
Editor Note: This is a modified version of my article posted on Dec 3, 2010 on my old blog. In the years since the article was written our government has still done almost nothing to protect American’s from any EMP threat.
I don’t see any national effort or response to this respectable white paper.
On an individual level, the best thing I’ve found on protecting anything from the E1/E2 is more along the stockpile effort, where you wrap (however many times) sensitive (and strategic) electronic equipment in such a way that [heavy duty] tin foil encloses, say, a cardboard layer that encloses the equipment. Apparently, the E1/E2 would not penetrate the foil layer.
Again, what are you protecting and how do you plan on using it after?
I’ve put my noodle on this EMP scenario for many years (thanks for the heads up, Don, way back when — suffice to say, I was “in sackcloth and ashes”, so to speak), and, to me, everything comes down to community.
I’m not a “cum-by-yah” guy, but if the community decided to “shoot ’em up” (like the cities), it’s over.
Unfortunately, for America, I think the EMP comes before the rapture. So, our / my life expectancy is a couple more years. Either way, I’m/we’re with the Lord (or not – “anyone who calls on the Name of the Lord shall be saved”).
I figure, occupy, watch, pray. After that, it’s up to God. And keep rolling the canned goods.
It’s astounding that during Obama, the intelligence agencies were saying that Global Warming was the biggest danger to National Security. I remember thinking that a hundred other things would easily outweigh that joke on the American People, and the world. I remember thinking, our enemies must think we are insane to put any stock in AGW. Nope, Don, sanity is not in play on the EMP issue. You might just be right, that God uses it as part of the reset for Jesus to rule. I’m sure we all could think of many ways it would fit right into the end times, or Tribulation.
I believe that is exactly what North Korea is doing; testing and preparing for an EMP strike on the US. Could Kim’s allies be using him for just that purpose? I don’t know, it just popped into my head.
I wish people would stop saying, “These are exciting times we live in.” There’s nothing exciting about wondering whether I’ll be toasted or starved.
Don, I have more faith in God’s providence that something of this magnitude that would so direly effect so many of His children would not happen unless in was in God’s end of days plans. We are either under God’s protection or His judgment, maybe this is why we have not protected ourselves. The global effects of an EMP are not going happen by chance with or without the actions of the United States. The Book of Revelation tells us of battles on horseback and weapons used for energy, so we may either have an EMP or possibly the scripture on Wormwood (meteor/asteroid/comet) causes a global EMP. I always fall back to the scripture that the whole world watches the 2 witnesses at the same time that would either require satellite television or supernatural power. I believe at this point on the end of day’s calendar with the hot spots on almost every continent, spending any more time or money on the EMP defenses is futile. God is not going to allow something of this magnitude to occur unless it is in His plans.
Well, here’s just one scenario. Imagine that a massive EMP does hit the US. Who would be the likely culprit’s? Muslim, Russian, and China tossed in for good measure. Now, of course the US launches a massive retaliatory strike on all enemies. And Israel throws in too, because if not attacked at the sane time as the US, then they certainly are next. Now, Bible prophecy comes to call.Ezekiel 39:2 & 6
2: And I will turn you back, and leave but the sixth part of you,
6: And I will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the LORD.
http://biblehub.com/akjv/ezekiel/39.htm 39: 1 – 6
The Slaughter of Gog’s Armies
1Therefore, you son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, Thus said the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:
2: And I will turn you back, and leave but the sixth part of you, and will cause you to come up from the north parts, and will bring you on the mountains of Israel:
3: And I will smite your bow out of your left hand, and will cause your arrows to fall out of your right hand.
4: You shall fall on the mountains of Israel, you, and all your bands, and the people that is with you: I will give you to the ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured.
5: You shall fall on the open field: for I have spoken it, said the Lord GOD.
6: And I will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the LORD.
So, a very reasonable possibility, and so, I predict not much, if anything will be done about this, but only pray, we are not here to witness it.
Caitlin,
I think people say those things as sarcasm. A fatalistic sense. Or ironic meaning. But I see how it could be taken that way.
Hi David L,
Do I misunderstand what you said? If the US was struck by an EMP the US would launch a retaliatory strike on all enemies? I ask because if the US was struck by a massive EMP we would be disabled and unable to retaliate. No communications.
I suppose some people say ‘these are exciting times’ out of sarcasm. I always took it to mean they feel prepared to deal with whatever happens. I am not.
Caitlin,
It depends on who is in charge after an attack, and how severe the projected outcome. We might very well seek to damage all enemies to prevent one from gaining advantage over the rest of the world. We have a strike force that could launch first, second, and third retaliatory strike’s and communications for the military will remain largely intact. But, there are protections, protocols in place that dictate what actions to take, in the event of a catastrophic attack, where communication has been lost. That almost ensures a retaliatory strike. This is why it’s called mutually assured destruction. But, like Don and many others think, it’s the Russians & Chinese who insanely believe they could survive, and even thrive afterwards. But, it would be infinitely worse, if that’s even possible, because the world would be against them afterwards.
Hi Stephen,
A nuclear EMP over the United States would not be global. It just could eliminate the United States as a super power. God allowed Hitler to take over so called Christian countries in Europe and allowed over 6 million Jews to be murdered. God allows a lot of evil stuff to happen on earth. All of them work together for good for those called according to His purpose.
I think we also need to keep in mind that every Christian that has lived has thus far also died. So keeping Christians from death in this body of flesh does not seem to be a high priority with God.
I agree that there will be a global EMP from the comet or the sun during the second half of the tribulation. This would make modern weapons of warfare obsolete.
I remember you mentioning the book “One Second After” by William Forstchen, which I read in 2 nights. It was truly an eye opener & very frightening of the chaos, lawlessness, & death to most in this country within the first year. Since reading the book, our govt has done nothing as usual and there is not much we can do but stock up on water, food, wood, & medicine for short term survival. If not as a community then there is no chance for survival alone, that is except for “Rambo”.
should i be prepping? maybe north korea is gonna attack with an emp as soon as we attack them.. i dont think its gonna be much longer to be honest.
Hi Cardinal,
That’s up to you. I think it would be wise to have enough food and water to last 30 to 90 days. After that it will be survival of the fittest.
ill stack up for sure cuz once trump gives that order to destroy sweetcookie anything can happen after that.
Don I’m sorry about the the structure of the sentences I am doing speech to text I’m a truck driver and I hope I’m not off subject I am a believer very conservative and take the Bible literally that being said I wanted to ask you something I believe we are closed to end times I think the Rapture is upon us but most people don’t. in fact I don’t think they even think about it even Christians .so my question is am I being presumptuous or are we being presumptuous in thanking how soon our Lord will be coming back I know you don’t know exactly when and neither do I but it does seem like the signs of the times are upon us I know some in my family just roll their eyes at me anyways just throwing it out there as always a good article thank you
Hi Greg,
Those that read and understand Bible prophecy know the Lord is coming back very soon. Most people in our churches are biblically illiterate. The dissent is coming from people who often may claim to be Christian but have no understanding of the prophetic scriptures. They don’t believe these scriptures will be literally fulfilled if they even bother to read them at all.
don u are absolutely right on your response to greg, i see it all around me its like a plague
Don You are so right. l know that what you said is true it’s just sometimes I get discouraged in what I believe. Because so many people I know even family members think differently and when I bring up the rapture it’s almost like I have a 3rd eye. Thanks for all the work you do.
I definitely could forsee a situation in which the nations of the world gang up on the US, namely Russia and or China, and preemptively stike us. For the greater good of humanity they might say. Especially if China gains economic control of most of the world. Donald Trump has created such a rift with our allies that noone would lift a finger to help us.
Hi Steve,
Only NATO has the ability to help us against Russia and China but NATO would be quickly defeated if America is totally crippled by an EMP. Russia would quickly take over Eastern Europe once again. I believe Russia will form a new Soviet Union before the Ezekiel 38/39 war either by persuasion or by force.
I could see a Democrat being elected in 2024 who like Hillary, tries and succeeds in getting us into a war with Russia. An EMP could be a result who knows.
Hi Jim,
The way things are going in this country we might have a far left radical elected President in 2020.
Don,
The democrats live in an echo chamber and pretend conservatives don’t exist. They are wrong and 2016 proved it. The behavior exhibited by the democrats in the kavanaugh hearings are not doing them any favors. I think Trump would win barring cheating.
Jim,
The left has been cheating and they will continue to cheat to win elections. They are now rigging Internet information. If the cheating is not stopped, within two years we will have lost the Republic.