The threat of nuclear war has been a significant shadow looming throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Although the focus on nuclear weapons comes and goes from popular conscience, the reality of nuclear proliferation is likely to never disappear. What are the safest or most unsafe areas? The safest areas in the US in a nuclear war include the upper Midwest, Maine, West Texas, and multiple small areas, usually in areas that do not have large populations. The most unsafe areas include most of the East Coast and anywhere near a major city, key infrastructure location, or military installation.
Based on research from numerous sources, this is the consensus on the least safe and safest areas of the United States in the event of a nuclear attack. This map is based on average results based on models and predictions. Keep in mind that no place is really safe. Bombs may deviate from the target and victory patterns may vary during seasons.
Among some of the most commonly witnessed targets for possible nuclear attacks are large urban centers. Foreign armies target important population centers because of their potential for loss of life and the psychological impact that this entails. Large population centers also often host critical strategic objectives, such as factories or ports. Cities most likely to be the biggest nuclear targets include New York, NY; Washington D, C.
These cities could be potential targets due to their large population and strategic value. Although these are the most likely high-priority targets, any major population center could be targeted. FEMA and the National Resources Defense Council published a map in 1990 showing potential nuclear targets. Another way to classify potential targets is based on the location of known nuclear arsenals and military bases. In the event that a hostile country attacks the US preventively with nuclear weapons, it is very likely that they will want to paralyze the US supply.
It's worth noting that a large number of US military bases are located overseas. To retaliate against a hostile nuclear attack, even if the continental US supply is destroyed, determining the lowest priority targets in the event of a nuclear attack is difficult. Many places that might seem safe are home to important military bases or nuclear plants that could become targets of nuclear war. However, there are some places that stand out as reasonably safe in some states in the US. The American cities that are the lowest priority targets for a nuclear attack in the US are Maine, Central Idaho, Oregon and Northern California. They are likely to go largely untouched in a nuclear exchange due to their small population and lack of strategic objectives.
Since a large-scale nuclear attack can cause earthquakes, it is recommended to avoid areas prone to seismic activity. For more maps and details on the potential threats of nuclear war and fallout, you can consult the nuclear preparedness page on Ki4u. The actual explosion radius of modern nuclear devices is a complicated subject. A nuclear device poses a number of different threats, all of which present other challenges for people who intend to survive a nuclear detonation. The safest distance from a nuclear explosion is more than 53 miles (86 km).A one-megaton bomb could blind people at a distance of up to 85 km (52.8 miles).
Heat from such a pump will cause third-degree burns up to 5 miles (8 km) away. Shock wave created by detonation could produce 180 tons of force within a radius of 6 km (3.7 miles). The detonation itself will cause blinding light and scorching heat in the immediate area of the bomb. The energy released is enough to vaporize people and buildings, while the shock wave of detonation will go much further, with enough force to potentially devastate buildings and infrastructure. Finally, radioactive fallout can last a long time and will be carried by winds.
This means that the area potentially affected by a single nuclear bomb is enormous. Newer weapons can be even more powerful. More important than the explosion radius of the bomb itself is the threat of nuclear rain. Due to wind conditions, radioactive fallout from a nuclear detonation could affect the entire continental US. If you live in one of these areas, it is recommended that you have an exit strategy in place in the event of a nuclear attack.
It's also a good idea to get gas masks and potassium iodide tablets, such as those found on Amazon, to help deal with potential radiation. You can also take a look at the US government's own website for nuclear preparedness. The safest place in the US because nuclear war is considered Maine. Maine considered safe due to lack of nuclear power plants and urban areas. Other potentially safe areas include Oregon, Northern California, and West Texas. There are several locations in the United States that are considered low-risk in the event of a nuclear exchange.
However, the potential threats of total nuclear war are very difficult to measure, so it's always a good idea to have a number of contingencies planned. A nuclear attack carries a number of risks. The first is the radius of the explosion itself. A nuclear bomb releases heat, light and kinetic force that can affect a wide area. It can be assumed that most high-priority targets near urban centers will be completely decimated in the event of a nuclear attack. That said, there are a number of cities and areas in the US that are unlikely to be targeted by a hostile nation for several reasons - including dispersed population and lack of strategic assets such as factories or power plants - making them low priority targets for an attack. The threat of radioactive fallout remains high in many places so planning accordingly is essential - having an exit strategy ready as well as gas masks and potassium iodide tablets can help protect against radiation exposure. In addition to low strategic value and relatively dispersed population making these areas less likely targets for an attack they also have low risk for being affected by radioactive fallout due to wind conditions. For more information on potential threats posed by modern day weapons as well as maps detailing possible targets you can consult FEMA's website or Ki4u's Nuclear Preparedness page. Ultimately no place is truly safe from an attack but understanding which cities are most likely targeted as well as which areas have lower risk can help you plan accordingly should an attack occur.
