As we move towards the solar maximum in 2025, the sun is now hyperactive with CME’s (coronal mass ejections) and solar flares coming off the sun. Over this weekend, the earth will be hit by between 5 and 7 solar flares. We have already seen the effects of these solar flares in the skies of Crossakiel with the aurora borealis being pictured in the sky above the village.

Now, this all sounds great and people were watching the aurora borealis last night, but there is major concern that as we heading towards a solar maximum (a sun cycle that happens around every 11 years), a cannibal solar flare has been seen making its way to the planet. A similar cannibal solar flare happen in 1859 called the Carrington Event.

At the time, there was no electricity grid, so the only damage that was caused was telegraph stations and poles blowing out and a few people got electrocuted. Scientists have said that we are overdue a Carrington Event and although I do not believe that it will happen over the weekend, I do believe that it will happen at some point due to the fact that we are going towards a solar maximum and our magnetosphere (which is the shield that protects the planet), is at an all-time low.

So what would you do if the grid, the internet and communication goes down? The repairs to get the grid back up and running could take weeks or months? Have you a backup plan if this does happen? To what level will the Carrington Event affect our electronics? It might only knock the satellites, the grid and the internet, but what if it was so strong that it also knocked out all electronic equipment from computers, ATM’s, cash tills, car management systems?

Yes, I know this is extreme and chances are that it might not be that extreme however, scientists are still concerned about the cannibal flare on its way now which is of similar strength to the one in 1859. If this does not cause any issues, that does not mean that we will not be in line for another one going into 2025.

So maybe it might be a good idea to do some prepping based on a “what if?” scenario until we move passed 2025 and the head towards the solar minimum where the Sun’s activity weakens. Have you ever thought about a grid down situation? What would you do? As we never have experienced this kind of crisis in our lifetime, it is very hard to belief and naive to think that this could be possible but it did happen in 1859 and it is a 100 year event, hence why we are overdue for it.
Always keep in mind the old say, “it’s better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it”.

Prepping, based on all situations, whether it is a Carrington Event or societal breakdown, should always be something at the back of your mind. If the grid did go down, you can be guaranteed that there would be a societal breakdown. This is why communities getting together to help each other at a time of crisis is very important. It’s a time to put our differences aside and work together to survive.