Hello,

While it is true that energetic protons (called solar proton events) produced by solar flares can and do cause problems for satellites, we have never seen a solar flare large enough to take out all of the satellites orbiting around the Earth and all technology on the ground simultaneously. Some other effects of solar proton events are astronauts seeing flashes in their eyes, and increases in radiation levels measured on high-altitude aircraft. However, your smartphone and your computer here on Earth will probably work just fine after a solar flare. The reason why is that Earth's atmosphere, Earth's magnetic field, and the region of space surrounding the Earth called the magnetosphere help protect our planet from most of the effects of the Sun's more energetic outbursts. However, the coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that are often associated with solar flares can produce large disturbances in the Earth's magnetic field called geomagnetic storms. During a geomagnetic storm, there can be an increase in the energetic particles in Earth's Van Allen radiation belts that can also cause damage to satellites. Geomagnetic storms can generate huge electrical currents that run down into the ground and can disrupt the power grid. Geomagnetically induced currents (called GIC) disrupted electrical power in Canada and parts of the northern United States in March 1989. Since then, scientists and engineers have been working on ways to forecast solar flares, CMEs, and geomagnetic storms, as well as develop ways to prevent damage to satellites, the power grid, and other technology. Although certain geographic locations on Earth are more susceptible to problems caused by geomagnetic storms, when a solar flare or geomagnetic storm happens it is a global event. While solar flares and geomagnetic storms do affect things like satellites and the power grid, they do not destroy or damage all technology on Earth that uses electrical power or has microchips in it.

One thing that could damage ALL technology over North America (or another part of the world) is an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) produced by the detonation a nuclear weapons at high altitudes. Hopefully, this will never happen. You may have been thinking about EMPs instead when you asked your question.