Review by Jim Zeigler of novel “One Second After,” by William Forstchen.
Scientists, military leaders, and security experts know that the strategic detonation of a small nuclear weapon above the United States could disable the power grid and fry electronic devices, as well as disable vehicles that have electronic systems.
The general public, however, knows little about an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) explosion and what it could mean to them. That could change if the public picks up William Forstchen's novel, “One Second After," which paints the picture of life right after an EMP explosion.
It is not a pretty picture.
Forstchen's novel takes place in the quiet town of Black Mountain, N.C., where 7,400 residents reside in the Appalachian foothills near Asheville. When an atmospheric EMP explodes with no notice, the townspeople have no idea what happened, how long the shutdown will last, or what steps they should take as individuals and a community. Residents assume the power and phones will come back on, as they always do after storms and other disruptions. But when they notice that almost all vehicles have stopped running, they began to wonder and worry.
After a week’s delay to figure out their predicament and get organized, the residents rise to the occasion - but not without disruptions and deaths. That week of delay allows looters to loot, hoarders to hoard, and wasters to waste.
The community and each family are forced to revert to the primitive lifestyle known before electricity, phones, TV, radio, trucking, grocery stores, and modern health care. They also must organize a local militia to defend against attackers from nearby towns.
The experience of the town should lead us to question our own preparedness in the event of an EMP.
We non-experts know that the natural phenomenon of lightning can “fry” TVs, computers, and power transformers. But in the case of an EMP, multiply that frying effect by about 1,000 and apply it to most or all of the United States. The power goes off. Phones don’t work. The A/C dies. Most trucks and trains don’t run. Grocery stores and pharmacies run out of stock quickly. One of the messier problems is that the waterworks won’t work, and the sewage system won’t pump. The lack of a functioning communication system leaves the public in the dark about what has happened and what to do going forward, particularly as leaders and emergency personnel can’t communicate.
There are lessons in this fictional but realistic book. The general public needs to do more smart planning and stockpiling. Governments, especially local, need to develop plans and resources in case commerce and communications fail. The U.S. military needs to develop redundant resources to prevent an EMP attack. The nation’s utilities must harden against an EMP attack and protect the grid. Utility regulators, such as state public service commissions, need to take a leadership role in encouraging or requiring protection of the grid and emergency measures in case of attack. The medical community can develop contingency plans in case electric devices and manufactured medicines are no longer available. Individuals and families can store survival supplies and plan how to grow their own food if commerce fails – gardening, hunting, rain collecting, and raising livestock.
Without smart advance planning, one second after may be one second too late.
Alabama has taken some steps to prepare for an EMP attack, but is it enough? No.
Alabama can become the focal point for strategic planning and resources to protect from an EMP attack. With the Air University in Montgomery and NASA in Huntsville, Alabama is ideally situated to be the nation's capital for EMP defense.
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler’s beat is the colorful and positive about Alabama -- her people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at [email protected].
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to [email protected].
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