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HOME > PUBLICATIONS > Exclusive: What Kind of Attack Can Kill 70 to 90 Percent of Americans Within One Year?

April 1, 2010

Exclusive: What Kind of Attack Can Kill 70 to 90 Percent of Americans Within One Year?

Jena Baker McNeill

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When the power goes out, what’s the first thing we do?
Grab a flashlight. Search for batteries. Light some candles. Next, we worry about what’s in the fridge. If the power outage lasts for more than four hours, hundreds of dollars in food may be wasted.
Cleaning out the fridge and replacing lost food is costly, messy and unpleasant. Fortunately, however, the lights do eventually come back on, and we can go about our daily lives. After an EMP attack, however, getting the power restored would take much, much longer.
EMP stands for electromagnetic pulse. It’s a pulse that can be used as a weapon (most likely caused by blast of a nuclear weapon in the Earth’s atmosphere), and would destroy the critical infrastructure that Americans rely on. Specifically, an EMP, under the right conditions, is extremely damaging to electronics and the electric grid -- the system that keeps those refrigerators (and the food supply) running.  
Most Americans are used to fast, cheap and easy food options. McDonald’s, in fact, prides itself on a 90-second or less service time. And given our tendency to eat too much, it is odd to think about any American starving to death.
The impact of an EMP attack on America’s food supply, however, would be enormous. Food wouldn’t simply spoil, but delivering food and cooking it also would be problematic. Many Americans would struggle to survive.
You may not realize, but your grocery store carries very few foods from the local area. Strawberries are often from Mexico, oranges from Florida, and plums from California. For those curious, Ramen Noodles are made in Richmond, Virginia.
EMP, however, would take down the equipment that makes this system function. Besides problems getting food from place to place, preparing, baking, or cooking food would be difficult for both food production companies and everyday citizens. Remember the jalapeño salmonella outbreak in 2008? One small facility in Texas caused the outbreak. Swiftly, at least 1,251 people all over the nation got sick. Preventing food-borne illnesses would be difficult without needed refrigeration or necessary heat.
The EMP Commission Chairman has stated that within the first year of an attack, 70 percent to 90 percent of Americans would be dead from starvation or disease. Forget the orderly bread lines of the Depression; the scramble for any remaining sustenance would be ugly and most likely deadly.
This isn’t an encouragement to “buy local.” It’s more of a wake-up call that this doesn’t have to happen. With a few investments, the U.S. can harden critical infrastructure in a way that will help the food system get back online quickly if such an attack occurs.
Instead of taking these steps, however, the U.S. government is, in effect, leaving the refrigerator door open when it comes to EMP. America’s adversaries are exploring EMP as a weapon. It’s time for Congress and the administration to pay attention.
FamilySecurityMatters.org Contributing Editor Jena Baker McNeill is a homeland security policy analyst at The Heritage Foundation (www.heritage.org).
 

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  Comments (6)

When the time comes,it will be no consolation to see the wealthy politicians, who are misdirected in their job efforts (I'm trying to be kind,)try to eat their ill gotten money to survive the disaster that they,themselves,caused.Individuals must wake up to what is coming down the pike!Most of the people will become more desperate then a drug addict looking for a fix.It is surely time to heed the warnings and start making preporations for that time...

posted by: Ken Huffaker
Thursday, April 1, 2010 at 08:25 AM

If you want to get a window into what life could be like after EMP attack, I would suggest a couple authors. From a secular perspective "One Second After" by William Forstchen. The other is from a Christian view, four books by Terri Blackstock, the "Lights Out" series. Reading these books played a big part in getting myself on board with preparedness.

posted by: Rock Farm
Thursday, April 1, 2010 at 08:54 AM

The idea of an EMP being set off in the atmosphere, is not as far fetched as some may think. Countries like Iran, and North Korea already have the rocket capabilities. Properly placed by a small third world country, an EMP could very well devastate this nation, as well as others. Remember, Russia, China, Japan, and all of Europe depend on electrical power too. The people of this country need to stock pile some essentials, and also devise a means of protecting their stockpiles. Hungry people can become violent people very quickly. It's not a mythical Orwellian scenario anymore, the technology is out there.

posted by: Jerry
Thursday, April 1, 2010 at 11:00 AM

Good article. I am surprised that there is no mention of WATER. I can survive longer without food than water. And I do not know of any cities that have alternatives for electric pumps to supply water!

posted by: LarryChristesson
Thursday, April 1, 2010 at 12:15 AM

It doesn't surprise me that our government is behind in insuring that we are protected from such a catistrophic threat of starvation. The government is behind on the illegal alien border crossing problem, expanding our own natural resource capabilities for fuel, and other such issues. It is no surprise that our government is behind on this issue also. All the time and effort that ruling majority socialst Democrat party has put into health care issues could have been put to better use toward something that really would be beneficial to us all. Too bad that the Democrat politicians and some Republican politicians are so missguided.

posted by: TJ
Thursday, April 1, 2010 at 03:18 PM

I would suggest making a Faraday Cage. Large enough to store your important electronic devices should an EMP happen. This is a very easy device to make, All parts are readily available from your local hardware store. Put your items inside and when an EMP happens they will be safe!. Also, have your water filtration system and dehydrated food supplies stored in an area that is locked and easy to access for your self and easy to protect from possible theft. GOD BLESS I wouldn't worry too much for Christians, Jesus is returning and when He does we will be gone. Until then these are good ideas.

posted by: Bernie Ewell
Thursday, April 1, 2010 at 03:27 PM