What happens if all the lights go out? This is the plan for a 'Black Sky' event
Summary
A 2015 flood in Lancaster caused a power outage that disrupted heating, water, transport, shops and communications for 61,500 people. The incident informs plans for a possible “Black Sky” event, including government advice to prepare for disruptions and a BBC emergency radio service designed to operate for at least three days without resupply.Key Facts
- The River Lune flooded at 22:45 on 5 December 2015, and the electricity supply to 61,500 people in Lancaster failed.
- Some water supplies began to fail because they relied on electric pumps; the railway station, petrol stations and shops also closed, and most cash machines stopped working.
- Copper-wire landlines and FM radio were among the communication systems that continued to work.
- A report on the Lancaster outage described a local commercial radio station using an emergency generator and a landline to share information.
- UK resilience discussions have focused on being able to withstand a Black Sky event for at least 72 hours.
- The government’s Be Ready campaign encourages people to prepare for emergencies, although it says there is no specific threat to the electricity grid.
- The BBC plans to use about 100 staff in an emergency radio studio with communications independent of the internet and supplies for at least three days.
- The BBC service would broadcast prepared government messages, including guidance on drinking water and disposing of toilet waste without flushing.
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