Spain’s November 17 blackout scare: Is a global power cut really coming?

Many people in Spain will remember exactly where they were when the electricity suddenly went off in April 2025, leaving homes, businesses and transport services struggling without power. So when claims began circulating online about another blackout, this time supposedly affecting the entire world on November 17 and lasting 72 hours, it was bound to get people’s attention.

But do not fret, there is good news: there is no global blackout planned, no official warning of a worldwide power or internet shutdown, and no reason to expect Spain to go dark on that date. The rumours appear to have grown around a genuine emergency alert test scheduled in the United States, which has been taken out of proportion online.

What is actually happening on November 17?

The confusion centres on a real announcement from the United States. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), working with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), has scheduled a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System for Tuesday, November 17. At approximately 2.20pm Eastern Time, equivalent to 8.20pm in mainland Spain, participating radio and television broadcasters, cable services and satellite providers across the US will briefly interrupt normal programming to play a test message. The broadcast will last around one minute before programmes resume as usual. 

The message will clearly state that it is only a test and that the public does not need to take any action. The exercise is designed to check that the American warning system works properly should it ever be needed during a real emergency. It is not a test of the electricity grid, nor does it involve switching off power supplies or disconnecting the internet. FEMA has also confirmed that mobile phone emergency alerts will not be included in this particular exercise. The test is intended only for the United States, so it does not mean television or radio services in Spain will suddenly go off air. 

Where has the 72-hour blackout claim come from?

Another detail being used to fuel the rumours is the recommendation that households should have enough essential supplies to manage for at least 72 hours during an emergency. The European Commission has been promoting this advice as part of its wider preparedness strategy. On November 3, it published new guidelines aimed at helping people and communities cope during the first three days of a crisis, while emergency services and public authorities organise their response.

The recommendations include having access to drinking water, food, necessary medicines and basic emergency supplies. They are intended to help households deal with a range of possible situations, including severe weather, natural disasters or other unexpected disruptions. They do not identify a date when anything is expected to happen. The EU’s preparedness strategy was first introduced in March 2025, when the Commission called on member states to improve their ability to respond to risks such as natural disasters, cyberattacks and geopolitical tensions.

Have The Simpsons predicted a blackout?

Some online posts have also brought the animated series The Simpsons into the story, sharing scenes that users claim point towards a major power cut in November. The series has a long history of being used in viral prediction claims, with clips and screenshots taken out of context and linked to real-world events. However, a fictional scene is not evidence that an event will happen, and no reliable information connects the programme to a planned blackout 

As the story has been shared and repeated, different versions have added claims about internet access being switched off, television services disappearing and banks becoming unavailable. Some posts describe a 72-hour shutdown, while others make even more dramatic predictions. There is no official announcement supporting any of these claims. Neither the US alert test nor the European Commission’s preparedness guidance announces a worldwide interruption to essential services.

Should people in Spain prepare for November 17?

There is no reason for residents to change their plans, withdraw cash, stockpile food or make special arrangements because of the alleged blackout. Electricity networks, internet providers and banking services have not announced a coordinated shutdown for that date. Nor has an international authority issued a warning that the world will lose power or communications for three days.

Households should still follow sensible emergency advice. Keeping a torch, spare batteries, drinking water and essential medication at home can be useful if a local power cut, storm or other unexpected problem occurs. These are everyday precautions that can prove useful in a range of situations, not preparations for a predicted global disaster, but hopefully not for anytime soon.