Surviving a power grid attack: How to stay safe in a grid-down scenario

03/24/2025 / By Zoey Sky

Possible causes of a grid-down scenario include an electromagnetic pulse (EMP), cyberattacks, terrorist attacks and solar flares or coronal mass ejections (CME).
To prepare for a grid-down scenario, secure water supplies, stockpile food and learn how to preserve food, find alternative energy sources and build a prepping community network.
Developing off-grid skills like starting a home garden, learning first aid and taking self-defense lessons can help you survive in a post-SHTF world.
Secure your home and designate secure areas within your home. Avoid discussing your preparations to stay low-key. Expect water and food shortages, communication breakdowns and increased crime rates in a prolonged grid-down scenario.
Preparation is about building resilience and confidence. By securing water, food and energy, and developing survival skills, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from the worst-case scenario. Start preparing today to face any challenge with confidence.

A power grid attack is one of the most catastrophic events a modern society can face. It’s not just a temporary inconvenience — it’s a complete collapse of the systems citizens rely on daily.

From water and food supplies to communication and transportation, a grid-down scenario would plunge society into chaos. While the idea may sound like the plot of a dystopian movie, the threat is very real.

Governments and preppers alike are preparing for such an event, and you should too.

Here’s how to prepare for and survive a grid-down scenario, along with a look at the four most likely causes of such an event. (h/t to ThePreppingGuide.com)

What causes a grid-down scenario

Before diving into preparedness tips, it’s important to understand what could trigger a grid-down scenario.

Here are the four most likely causes:

Electromagnetic pulse (EMP)

An electromagnetic pulse (EMP), whether from a nuclear explosion or a natural event like a solar flare, can fry electrical systems instantly.

Vehicles, phones and even power plants could be rendered useless. A power grid’s full recovery could take months or even years after a large-scale EMP attack.

Cyberattack

Hackers targeting critical infrastructure could disrupt power grids, water systems and communication networks. Recent reports suggest that foreign operatives have already penetrated U.S. power grids, making this a credible threat.

Terrorist attack

Physical attacks on power plants or transmission lines could cripple the grid. Terrorists could also combine physical attacks with cyberattacks to maximize chaos.

Solar flare or coronal mass ejection (CME)

A massive solar storm could send a surge of energy toward Earth, damaging electrical systems on a global scale. In 2012, a CME narrowly missed Earth, but if one hits, the consequences would be devastating.

How to prepare for a grid-down scenario

Preparing for a grid-down event requires more than just stocking up on canned food. It’s about developing skills, creating sustainable systems and ensuring you can survive without modern conveniences.

Here are some practical steps to help you survive a power grid attack:

Secure water supplies

Water is life. Without electricity, municipal water systems will fail and access to clean water will become a major challenge.

Keep at least one gallon of water per person per day for drinking and sanitation. Aim for a two-week supply.

Learn water purification techniques and practice them before SHTF. Invest in water filters and purification tablets or learn how to boil water safely.

Harvest rainwater if possible. Set up rain barrels to collect and store rainwater for non-drinking uses.

Stockpile food and learn food preservation techniques

Food shortages will occur quickly in a grid-down scenario. Refrigeration will be impossible, and supply chains will collapse. (Related: Pantry refresh: How to organize storable foods for easy, nutritious meals.)

Make sure you stock up on non-perishable foods such as canned goods, dried beans, rice, pasta and other shelf-stable items.

You also need a variety of nutritious foods that don’t need refrigeration such as apples, carrots, potatoes and hard cheeses can last days without refrigeration.

Before disaster strikes, you should also learn about different food preservation techniques. Learn how to can, dehydrate and smoke food to extend its shelf life.

Create alternative energy sources

Electricity will be scarce when the power grid goes down, so having alternative energy sources is crucial. Solar power is a great option if you are in the sunny Southwest, so invest in solar panels or portable solar chargers for small devices.

Alternatively, you can get a generator. Stock up on extra fuel, but use your generator sparingly to conserve fuel.

Lastly, make sure you also stock up on essential manual tools like hand-crank radios, flashlights and other tools that don’t rely on electricity.

Build a prepping community network

Preppers know that in a grid-down scenario, survival is a team effort.

Before SHTF, connect with your neighbors. You don’t need to be best friends with them if you like your privacy, but you can both benefit from building strong relationships with trustworthy neighbors who can share resources and skills during a grid-down scenario.

Learn the barter system. Stockpile items like batteries, candles and tools that can be traded for other necessities.

Develop off-grid skills

Modern conveniences won’t be available, so learning basic survival skills is essential. Start a home garden so you can grow organic foods and vegetables to supplement your stockpile.

You should also learn proper first aid because basic medical skills can be used to treat injuries and illnesses after SHTF.

Lastly, you can take self-defense lessons. Be prepared to protect yourself and your family in a lawless environment.

Secure your home

As desperation sets in, your home could become a target. Strengthen doors and windows to deter intruders.

While developing your emergency preparedness plan, designate secure areas within your home for family members to retreat to if needed.

Stay low-key. Don’t talk about your survival supplies or preparations.

What to expect in a grid-down scenario

The first few days of a grid-down event may feel like a typical blackout.

However, as time goes on, the situation will deteriorate rapidly:

After some time, your area will experience water and food shortages. Without electricity, water pumps and refrigeration systems will fail, leading to scarcity.
You may also experience a communication breakdown one cell towers and internet services go down. This will cut off access to information.
Finally, as desperation grows, crime rates will spike and law enforcement will be overwhelmed.

While the idea of a grid-down scenario is daunting, preparation can make all the difference. By taking steps now to secure water, food and energy, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from the worst-case scenario.

Remember, preparation isn’t about fear — it’s about empowerment. By developing skills and building resilience, you can face any challenge with confidence.

The power grid may be fragile, but your ability to adapt and survive is not. Start preparing today, and you’ll be ready for whatever tomorrow brings.

Visit Survival.news for more tips on how to prepare for grid-down scenarios. You can also visit Health Ranger Store and Brighteon Store for clean food supplies for your prepping needs.

Watch this clip about Organic Amaranth and why it deserves a place in your survival stockpile.

This video is from the Health Ranger Store channel on Brighteon.com.