US(Washington Insider Magazine)- The threat of nuclear war is a significant shadow and it has been looming over the 20th and 21st centuries. There is a lot of focus on nuclear weapons but it comes and goes from popular consciousness. The reality of nuclear proliferation is not going to go away. So what are Safe and Unsafe Places if US Nuked?
The safest areas in the US in a nuclear war will include the upper Midwest, Maine, West Texas, and multiple small areas. The areas that are likely to be hit have large populations. If you talk about unsafe areas, then they include the East Coast and anywhere near a major city. There is a key infrastructure location or military installation in areas that could be the target.
Which Cities Are The Biggest Nuclear Targets?
Some commonly attested targets will be potential nuclear attacks. Some large urban centers are the Foreign military target as they have significant population centers. Due to their potential for lost lives and also the psychological impact, it will put in people these places are the major targets. A large population also resides in these areas. Some house critical strategic targets include factories or ports. There is a nuclear ordinance that will be used in war. They were centered on large urban centers.
Read More: List Of Nuclear Targets In USA (2022 Updated)
The U.S. cities that are under the biggest threat include New York, NY; Washington D.C.; Dallas-Fort Worth; and Jacksonville, FL. These cities are the potential targets because they have large populations and strategic value.
These places are likely high-priority targets, and any significant population center could be under attack. FEMA and the National Resources Defense Council published a map in 1990 that showed potential nuclear targets.
Other major cities that are the major targets for a nuclear attack include:
- Miami, FL
- Los Angeles, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Philadelphia, PA
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Chicago, IL
- Houston, TX
- Phoenix, AZ
- Honolulu, HI
It is worth noting that there is a large amount of the U.S.’s nuclear arsenal is based on strategically placed nuclear submarines all over the world. These placements will be responsible for allowing the U.S. to retaliate against a hostile nuclear attack. There is a continental supply of the U.S.’s arsenal that will be neutralized entirely and this can help the country to secure the areas.
Which U.S. Cities Are The Lowest Targets?
Some USS cities are the lowest priority targets if a nuclear strike occurs. Many places that might seem safe are home to military bases or nuclear plants. These places could potentially become targets in a nuclear war. On the other hand, there are a few places that stand and can be considered reasonably safe.
The US cities that are the lowest priority targets for a nuclear attack are Maine, Central Idaho, Oregon, and Northern California. These places are largely untouched during a possible nuclear exchange. These areas have sparse populations and they also lack strategic targets.
Since a large-scale nuclear attack can trigger earthquakes, so it is best to avoid zones that are prone to seismic activity.
Places that have a low likelihood of earthquakes include:
- Eastern Montana
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Minnesota
- Michigan
- Nebraska
- Kansas
What Is the Safe Distance From a Nuclear Explosion?
The blast radius of modern nuclear devices can be a complicated issue. A nuclear device that poses several different threats, could present a lot of other challenges. It could be a threat to people that are intending to survive a nuclear detonation.
The safest distance from a dangerous nuclear explosion is over 53 miles (86 km). If the one-megaton bomb is near, then it could potentially blind people up to 85 km (52.8 miles) away. The nuclear weapon also emits a lot of heat that could cause third-degree burns up to 8 km (5 miles) away.
The shockwave created by the detonation can produce 180 tons of force and it could reach the 6 km (3.7 miles) radius of range. The detonation could cause blinding light and searing heat and could harm the immediate area of the bomb.
The energy that is used to vaporize people and buildings, could be dangerous as well. This shockwave from the detonation can reach farther, as this produces enough force to potentially level buildings and infrastructure.
Lastly, the radioactive fallout also lasts for a very long time. It is also carried by the winds and could mean that the area that can be affected by even a single nuclear bomb is vast.
