What If America Went Dark?

Currently on Day 4 of no power on the Big Island. Can confirm it sucks.

I am surprised that nothing is mentioned about weather, as people have been moving to cities that are dependent on air conditioning.

It estimates that about 1% of the population [of Phoenix], or 13,250 people, would die, and half the city, or 816,570 people, would be put in emergency rooms if power was completely out for two days, then slowly restored throughout the region over the next three.

https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2023/06/05/study-phoenix-face...

There was a multi-state blackout in 2003 that lasted up to 4 days in some areas. It was pretty bad. The gas pumps, requiring electricity, didn’t work. People quickly ran out of gas and left their cars abandoned at the station, waiting for power to be restored.

I had about half a tank and remember just heading west, hoping I hit an area with power before I ran out of gas… thankfully I did.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northeast_blackout_of_2003

Then it would zonk the Zark.

I’d like to be optimistic and say we’d have about a week before things started getting Mad Max-y out here in the suburbs.

Non-paywall link: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/18/magazine/national-blackou...