Rumors about an alleged 90-day world blackout from November 17 have become viral on social networks. However, it is an unconfirmed theory that combines an alert test in the United States, emergency kit recommendations and an episode of “The Simpsons”.
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12/11/2026
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Athe last few weeks have appeared publications about an alleged global blackout beginning on Tuesday, November 17, and lasting 90 days. It is, however, only a theory that gathers three unrelated information: a test of the emergency alert system in the United States, the recommendation of creating emergency kits and an episode of the series “The Simpsons”.
From the Simpson test, understand what is at stake:
The theory began after it was announced that a national U.S. Emergency Alert System (EAS) test will be conducted.
According to the US press, the test, carried out by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will take place next Tuesday, November 17, at the beginning of the afternoon.
“ This is a national emergency alert system test issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It's just a test. No action is required by the population”, indicated the us authorities.
This will be the first national test of the system since 2023 and, unlike previous tests, the alert will not be sent to citizens' phones.
This is a national public alert system that allows the President of the United States to address the nation within 10 minutes in the event of a serious emergency. In addition, it is also used to disseminate emergency information, including weather alerts, imminent threats, AMBER alerts (on the disappearance of children) and local warnings.
On Nov 17 at 2:20 PM ET, FEMA and @FCC will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System on TV and radio. This legally required, regularly scheduled test ensures critical, life-saving messages can reach Americans when it matters most during major emergencies. https://t.co/pKnRX3N8AK
— FEMA (@fema) November 9, 2026
This could be normal information, since the test has to be performed every three years. However, several netizens have started to relate it to the fact that several countries have advised citizens to prepare an emergency kit for 72 hours.
The most recent case was the Brazilian National Civil Defense, which, last week, shared on social networks “how to prepare an emergency kit”, recalling that, “in large-scale disasters, help may take time to reach some locations due to difficulties in access.”.
Days later, also on social networks, the same body came to clarify that “talking about an emergency kit is not a sign of danger, it is a sign that prevention is part of the routine”.
Emergency kit? Is it the end of the world? Easy! Talking about an emergency kit is no sign of danger, it's a sign that prevention is part of the routine. https://t.co/XjGAcfIOUM
— National Civil Defence (@defencecivilbr) November 8, 2026
The theory that the blackout could last 90 days is related to the program “Fortress America“, announced in late September by the Pentagon. The objective is to make the main U.S. military bases and installations fully autonomous for a period of at least 90 days in the event of major conflicts, cyber attacks or collapse of civil infrastructure.
Finally, “The Simpsons”, an animated series that is often associated with supposed premonitions of events. It is a season 35 episode, broadcast on November 19, 2023.
In the episode, titled “It’s a Blunderful Life”, the character Lisa mentions a blackout that left Springfield in the dark shortly before the Thanksgiving holiday, which this year marks November 26. Although it was not directly mentioned that the fictitious blackout occurred on November 17, Lisa opens a diary to remember the event and that is precisely the date that appears.
! Watch last 15 seconds. Note: Episode from “It’s a Blunderful Life”It first aired on Fox on November 19, 2023 @ankitIIMA @sanjeevsanyal @aravind https://t.co/gXujq1YZXi
— SKP November 1, 2026