A powerful electromagnetic impulse poses a greater threat to the United States than nuclear weapons or natural disasters, since it is capable of disabling global life support and control systems.
An electromagnetic pulse is one of the damaging factors of a nuclear explosion. The powerful radiation flux can also be caused by other reasons, such as a solar flare. It will take several years to repair the injuries, and they will cause a lack of water, food and can cause social collapse. The main causes of death will be hunger, disease and social collapse.
In particular, the restoration of powerful transformers in the main power grids can take years or decades if the destruction is of a global nature.
Lack of water can lead to death of a person within three or four days. If the centralized supply is cut off, then the population will be forced to take water for drinking and household needs from reservoirs. However, RealClear Defense notes that it is worth considering that most of the surface water is polluted by industrial waste and pathogens. Serious illnesses can occur with its use.
Lack of energy is also deadly for the current "electronic" civilization in the United States. A powerful electromagnetic effect on power plants and distribution networks could kill 90% of the country's population, according to the most pessimistic forecast.
Natalia Mayorova