fact of the matter is, when that one CME does hit that will be the new age carrington event, the electric will go out right around the same time us suntards are expecting the CME arrival
and right before it hits, we will be sitting here, looking at data, talking about "when is it going to hit? oh look solar wind is picking up! Look at the density increase!"
then BAM.. lights out
and each of us will be sitting in front of our PCs, with the electric out, thinking to ourselves (and some screaming it out loud) "omg that was the one!"

Untill that very moment arrives, when were sitting in the dark with no electric, it is ALL a guessing game!

we can only look at data and images and take our best educated guess as to the speed the CME will be at when it arrives at earth, and we can only guess at how much of the mass will hit, and how compact it will be at the time it arrives

Being aware of solar events is the best thing anyone can do with the Solar max on it's way
Then at least when that day comes, when the lights go out, when you knew that CME was suposto arrive, you will know why
when 98% of the world will not
and while everyone else is stepping outside wondering "why did the electric go out?!", you will know why and be able to act, while they stand in the dark looking at the pretty auroras in the sky