Has anybody read about the Carrington Event? According to the National Academy of Science, a "space storm" could produce a devastating apocalypse. The report provided "an estimate of $1 trillion to $2 trillion during the first year alone" and that "societal and economic costs of a 'severe geomagnetic storm scenario'" would have a "recovery time of 4 to 10 years."

Excerpt: "While a severe storm is a low-frequency-of-occurrence event, it has the potential for long-duration catastrophic impacts to the power grid and its users. Impacts would be felt on interdependent infrastructures, with, for example, potable water distribution affected within several hours; perishable foods and medications lost in about 12-24 hours; and immediate or eventual loss of heating/air conditioning, sewage disposal, phone service, transportation, fuel resupply, and so on. Kappenman stated that the effects on these interdependent infrastructures could persist for multiple years, with a potential for significant societal impacts and with economic costs that could be measurable in the several-trillion-dollars-per-year range."

http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12507#toc