A huge coronal mass ejection from the sun that catches everyone by surprise and completely fries the electrical supply and distribution system.
The last massive one is called the Carrington Event and it happened in 1859. Back then, the most hi-tech thing going was the telegraph, and the wires basically picked up the electrical charge and shocked telegraph operators and even started a few fires. The current best estimate by scientists is that Earth should be hit by something similar roughly every century, so we're kinda overdue. There are satellites which should give advance warning, but if electrical utilities don't shut down the grid in advance of it hitting, electrical substations could start literally blowing up, and it could take up to a decade to get things back to how they are now.
The only up-side to this is that there would be truly spectacular displays of the Northern (and Southern) Lights for up to a week or so. But I imagine most people won't find that so thrilling after they've been without electricity for a few days.
What weather/ people are you most afraid of?
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A huge coronal mass ejection from the sun that catches everyone by surprise and completely fries the electrical supply and distribution system.
The last massive one is called the Carrington Event and it happened in 1859. Back then, the most hi-tech thing going was the telegraph, and the wires basically picked up the electrical charge and shocked telegraph operators and even started a few fires. The current best estimate by scientists is that Earth should be hit by something similar roughly every century, so we're kinda overdue. There are satellites which should give advance warning, but if electrical utilities don't shut down the grid in advance of it hitting, electrical substations could start literally blowing up, and it could take up to a decade to get things back to how they are now.
The only up-side to this is that there would be truly spectacular displays of the Northern (and Southern) Lights for up to a week or so. But I imagine most people won't find that so thrilling after they've been without electricity for a few days.