When the power goes out, darkness isn’t just inconvenient—it’s dangerous.
It becomes harder to move, easier to panic, and almost impossible to secure your home.
And when the blackout lasts more than a few hours? That’s when real problems start.
Whether it’s triggered by a solar flare, EMP, or natural disaster, a grid-down event is one of the most disruptive emergencies you can face.
Keep reading to find out what you need ahead of time, how to use it, and how to keep your family safe when the lights go out—and stay out.
The Real Dangers of the Dark
Most people think blackouts are just temporary annoyances—a storm knocks out the power for a few hours, maybe a day, and things return to normal.
But what if they didn’t?
The truth is, there are two massive threats that could plunge large parts of the country into darkness for weeks, or even months: Solar flares and EMP attacks.
These aren’t hypotheticals.
They’re real, documented threats that experts are warning about right now.
Solar Flares: The Grid Killer
We’re currently entering the most active phase of the solar cycle, and scientists are watching closely.
According to the CNRS, we’re likely to see an increase in the frequency and strength of solar storms, or coronal mass ejections (CMEs)—bursts of energy from the sun powerful enough to disable satellites, GPS, and entire power grids.
These storms can disrupt everything from oil pipelines and power grids to undersea communication cables and drilling operations.
Geomagnetic storms can also interfere with the signals broadcast by GPS satellites.
According to CNRS:
This was the plight of hundreds of farms in the Midwest (United States) during the solar storm of May 2024, when the GPS navigation system that enables tractors to optimise the sowing pattern on these huge plots of farmland suddenly broke down as a result of electromagnetic interference.
In March 1989, a CME hit Earth and knocked out the power grid in Quebec, Canada. It left millions without electricity for 10 hours.
And the most powerful solar storm ever recorded—the Carrington Event of 1859—happened when enormous solar flares lit up the sky from the Northeastern United States to the Rockies.
The glow woke up coal miners and shed enough light to read the paper. The lightened sky reached as far south as Cuba and Honolulu, which are located on the same latitude.
On Saturday, September 3, 1859, the Baltimore American and Commercial Advertiser wrote:
Those who happened to be out late on Thursday night had an opportunity of witnessing another magnificent display of the auroral lights. The phenomenon was very similar to the display on Sunday night, though at times the light was, if possible, more brilliant, and the prismatic hues more varied and gorgeous. The light appeared to cover the whole firmament, apparently like a luminous cloud, through which the stars of the larger magnitude indistinctly shone. The light was greater than that of the moon at its full but had an indescribable softness and delicacy that seemed to envelop everything upon which it rested. Between 12 and 1 o'clock, when the display was at its full brilliancy, the quiet streets of the city resting under this strange light, presented a beautiful as well as singular appearance.
The effects on the telegraph and the magnetism in the atmosphere were unlike those from any previous thunderstorms or Northern Lights.
Some telegraph operators received electric shocks. Systems across Europe and North America faltered. Telegraph pylons and wires sparked.
Could you imagine the consequences of a similar event today?
According to scientists, it's not a matter of if—but when.
If a similar event hit today, the impact could be catastrophic—disabling critical infrastructure across the United States and beyond.
EMPs: The Silent Strike
EMP stands for electromagnetic pulse—a sudden burst of energy that can fry electronics and shut down infrastructure in seconds.
Energy.gov explains that EMPS are "temporary electromagnetic signals that can disrupt, degrade, and damage technology and critical infrastructure systems across large areas."
EMP events can be caused by man or by nature.
In nature, solar storms can cause EMP events, which would affect large areas of the earth’s surface.
Now, imagine the damage that could be inflicted by a man-made targeted EMP attack.
A nuclear EMP, detonated high in the atmosphere, could blanket an entire continent.
An event like this could cripple everything from the power grid to tiny circuits inside everyday electronics. Cell towers, internet lines, and any system built on metal wiring would be at risk.
Even a localized EMP could shut down power for weeks or months, creating a disaster zone overnight.
Grocery stores would empty. Fuel stations would be offline. ATMs wouldn’t work. Roads could be impassable. Rioting, looting, and mass panic would follow.
And if the blast affected a larger region?
We’d be thrown back in time.
No cell phones, no vehicles, no GPS. Just silence, darkness, and survival.
Must-Have Emergency Lighting Gear
When the power goes out, you need gear that’s reliable, multi-functional, and ready to go.
Here’s what we recommend for every blackout kit:
Multipurpose Portable Lighting
9-in-1 Solar Rechargeable Flashlight
This isn’t just a flashlight. It’s a survival tool every family should own.
Powered by solar or USB, this light features a seatbelt cutter, glass breaker, emergency strobe, compass, and even a built-in magnet to attach to your car or shelter walls. It also includes a power bank to charge small devices. Oh, and it’s water-resistant.
Keep one in every vehicle and bug-out bag.
Pocket Plasma Lighter with Flashlight
This USB-rechargeable lighter is windproof, flameless, and includes a 100-lumen flashlight for quick visibility in the dark. Ideal for lighting candles, lanterns, or fire starters when matches or gas lighters fail. Comes in a pack of three so you can stash them in different areas of your home or bag.
Extended-Use Lighting
Long-lasting, odorless, and smoke-free! These candles burn for up to 100 hours each, providing soft and steady light for days. Use them for cooking, warmth, or light in long-term blackout scenarios.
Perfect for home security during a blackout. This outdoor light charges by day and activates when motion is detected at night, keeping your property lit and unwanted visitors away. Easy to mount and fully solar-powered.
Whole-Home Off-Grid Power
Grid Doctor 3300 Solar Generator System
This solar generator is in a league of its own.
With EMP Intercept Technology, it’s currently the only solar generator system in the United States built to stand up to an EMP attack.
-
Engineered to withstand the devastating effects of a high-altitude nuclear detonation.
-
Also protects against lightning strikes, power surges, solar flares, and CMEs (coronal mass ejections).
-
Seamlessly built into the system—no switches to flip or steps to remember—it automatically defends your power source, 24/7.
Smart Lighting Strategies During Blackouts
It’s not just about what you have… it’s how you use it.
Here's how to stretch your lighting and stay in control:
-
Use flashlights and lanterns only as needed. Don’t burn through your battery life too quickly. Rotate between solar and manual options to stay charged.
-
Set up perimeter lighting. Motion sensor lights help you navigate your property at night and deter intruders.
-
Designate “light zones.” Focus lighting only where you need it—kitchen, bathroom, and a single central room—to conserve power and supplies.
-
Use solar- and crank-powered lights. Avoid depending on wall chargers or batteries you can’t replace.
-
Keep backup options handy. Candles, plasma lighters, and layered lighting sources give you flexibility depending on the length and severity of the blackout.
And remember: Light attracts attention.
In a blackout, the glow from a single window can signal to others that you’re better prepared than they are. Use blackout curtains or heavy blankets to cover windows and block indoor light from leaking out.
Don’t advertise your preparedness. That flickering candle in the window could draw unwanted attention.
If things get desperate in your area, people will start looking for supplies… and you don’t want to be the only house on the block with visible power.
Stealth equals security.
Stay lit, but stay smart, friends.
In liberty,
Grant Miller
Preparedness Advisor, My Patriot Supply
