America Not Ready For EMP Attack, Homeland Security Adviser Says

An EMP attack would have “catastrophic effects” on American civilians, according to statements made by Peter Vincent Pry. The executive director of the Task Force on National and Homeland Security and US Nuclear Strategy Forum Congressional adviser feels the technology necessary to avoid such an apocalyptic disaster exist. Pry also maintains that upgrading the power grid to protect life and property from an electromagnetic pulse is fiscally viable.

The EMP expert had this to say about the protective measures which could be taken to secure the power grid:

“The problem is not the technology. We know how to protect against it. It’s not the money, it doesn’t cost that much. The problem is politics. It always seems to be the politics that gets in the way. If you do a smart plan, the Congressional EMP Commission estimated that you could protect the whole country for about $2 billion. That’s what we give away in foreign aid to Pakistan every year.”

Renowned One Second After author and EMP advisor Dr. William Forstchen estimated that approximately half a million people would die in just the first few moments after an EMP attack on the power grid. Fires caused by bursting power grid transformers, downed power lines, gas line eruptions, and falling airplanes could likely cause a massive loss of life.

http://youtu.be/E4iWtViHu7U
Massive fires after an EMP attack are rarely ever factored into either FEMA planning or even discussions by preppers themselves. I had the distinct privilege to interview Dr. Forstchen, also a college professor, about the grim reality of life in the United States after a power grid failed by an EMP attack or solar flare. After speaking with Bill Forstchen, I realized just how divorced from reality the FEMA estimates could actually be when it comes to the potential death toll after an electromagnetic pulse.

According to the FAA, there are about 7,000 types of aircraft flying over the United States at any given time. In addition to the thousands of passenger and crew deaths, the fires which will occur during the crashes could destroy entire communities. Air Force One and Strategic Air Command used to control nuclear-tipped missiles are the only aircraft which are supposedly EMP proof.

Various states have been attempting to fill the regulatory and legislative void created by the inaction on the EMP and power grid security left by Congress. Private companies have also reportedly been developing and investing technologies which would help protect against an EMP attack.

Do you think Congress should spend more time and taxpayer money focusing EMP attack preparedness and harden the power grid as a matter of national security?

[Image Via: Shutterstock.com]