What happens if the internet goes down? BlackSky

The term "Black Sky event" describes severe disruptions that cause power outages and knock out water supplies, shops, and communications, according to BBC reporting. Civil contingency experts often repeat the phrase "We are nine meals from anarchy" to highlight the risk that three days without food could turn a crisis into chaos. The BBC revealed it maintains secret plans involving around 100 staff members to run an emergency radio studio using secure communication lines independent of the internet, with enough food, water, and fuel to operate for three days. According to BBC coverage, these emergency broadcasts will use radio transmission towers equipped with diesel tanks ranging from five to 40,000 litres (8,800 gallons) to power FM transmitters. BBC reporting stated that teams will rely on satellite phones and pre-agreed protocols if standard communications fail. The government's "Be Ready" campaign advises households to stockpile at least three days of non-perishable goods and bottled water, cash, and battery-powered or wind-up FM radios. AOL.co.uk reported that BBC Newsnight found a 40 percent increase in tinned product sales at Iceland supermarkets over the weekend, while Robert Dyas saw a 160 percent increase in radio sales compared to the previous week. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting told BBC Newsnight that it is encouraging people are taking practical steps to prepare for disruptions such as flooding, power cuts, or burst pipes. Government advice follows notices encouraging households to take simple steps to stay prepared for emergencies affecting power, water, and internet services, which The i Paper noted could be catalyzed by severe weather or cyberattacks from Russian-linked hackers. In April 2025, a mass blackout in Spain, Portugal, and south-western France further heightened concerns about grid failures, while Lancaster previously experienced a blackout when the River Lune flooded on December 5, 2015, leaving 61,500 people without power. Lord Harris, chair of the UK's National Preparedness Commission, told the BBC that power cuts can stop water supplies and cause sewage systems to back up and overflow. To address communication vulnerabilities, the government-sponsored Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) is spending £70m developing High Altitude Pseudo-Satellites (HAPS) to provide up to a week of emergency connectivity during crises, according to BBC reporting. Meanwhile, the Cabinet Office stated that the UK has one of the most resilient electricity systems in the world and has never experienced a complete grid outage in its 75-year history.