In a recent article by Joshua Krause on ReadyNutrition.com, the US online author will show what a dramatic impact a breakdown of power in the US would have. These ideas are by no means new in the face of the ailing infrastructure in the United States, but also in this case the power generators had their hands full in last January to keep grid power within the standard range .
Even if a long-term power grid failure in Central Europe has a fairly manageable probability, the question as to what immediate consequences such a situation would have is justified. What would be the impact of a long-term power failure?
Episode 1: Trade breaks down
Without electricity, no ATMs work, the banks remain closed and the cash registers in the supermarkets also fail, so the stores will also close their doors. Of course, as a person concerned - at least theoretically - you would be better off with some cash, the question is only: How long?
Episode 2: End of the comprehensive communication
Pretty much everyone has a mobile phone today and uses it regularly to keep in touch with others. In the event of a crisis, many people would certainly use their mobile phones, but without electricity - no reception. And even if the mobile network would still work, the sending terminals would simply be overwhelmed with the sheer amount of attempted connections.
Hungry and thirsty people are capable of anything from a certain point onwards. It is questionable whether possible threatened shopkeepers and / or otherwise in need in this case still in the situation would be able to call. Police, fire brigade and authorities were faced with a massive problem with a long communication failure.
Episode 3: No fuel without electricity
Pumps at petrol stations need electricity to provide their service, which in the event of an emergency means that only the remaining tank filling allows for their own mobility. The extent to which people, who are suddenly seated on the dry ground, are then hard to predict.
In any case, the supply would break down at a certain point. Supply chains are interrupted because the trucks also run idle. The effects are likely to be apparent.
Episode 4: No water without electricity
The water supply would also come to a standstill in a very short time, since the necessary pressure on the pipes can no longer be maintained. The times of the water storms are known to pass, the water pipeline system runs over current-driven pumps.
The fact that the toilet flushing is no longer working will be the least problem after 3 days at the latest. Dehydration is an enormous problem, as well as poor hygiene. As a matter of course, a self-evident nature such as water becomes a luxury asset. Well, the one has its own well (without an electrically powered pump, of course) or a watercourse nearby.
Episode 5: Plundering
In view of the extensive lack of private storage of food and water - despite the fact that last year's call on the government to provide emergency supplies for 10 days - it is to be expected that the supermarkets will be completely cleared in quite a short time - without paying, of course, no more.
The same applies, for example, to pharmacies. Millions of people are dependent on medicines, such as insulin or blood pressure medicines. If these fall out over a longer period of time, considerable sacrifices can be expected, especially among the older population.
Episode 6: Disorientation
This point may sound bizarre at first glance, but this is by no means the case. Today's society relies heavily on their sleek phones and on GPS to find their way. Without power, no Google maps and even if GPS satellites are independent of local power failures, the following applies: As soon as the battery of the TomTom is empty, no GPS functions.
Especially among the younger people there would simply be a lack of orientation from an individual large circle, because few are able to read a map - if at all one is available.
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