As the talks of nuclear war are on the rise, people living in America are curious to know which parts of the country are safe to live in. The threats of nuclear attack significantly increased when the outgoing president Joe Biden shifted its position by allowing Ukraine to use American-made missiles to strike Russia. In light of this, a recent development has mapped out some of the safest states in the United States in the event of a nuclear attack, though experts have stated that nowhere is truly safe. According to some experts, for instance, the Midwest could be a main target because it has America’s missile launch sites called the ICBM facilities. So, let’s discuss in this article, which US states are safe and less vulnerable to the impacts of a nuclear attack on US soil.
Maine
The American state of Maine is located in the northeastern part of the United States. The Pine Tree State would be a safe spot to live in during a nuclear attack because a recent study has revealed it so. According to it, the state’s radiation exposure would range from 0.001 Gy to 0.5 Gy, which is less harmful. Also, the state is located far away from big population centers and military sites, due to which it might not be the target. Further, its geographical location in the northeast region makes it less prone to radiation fallout.
Vermont
Another US state that is considered relatively safe during a nuclear attack is Vermont. Because it has a low population density and no major industrial and military target spots, the state might not attract a deadly nuclear attack. The state of Vermont is located in the northeastern region of the United States and is surrounded by mountains and forests. This means that the state has less likelihood of experiencing radioactive fallout. According to a recent study, Vermont’s radiation exposure will range from 0.001 Gy to 0.5 Gy.
New Hampshire
Just like Vermont and Maine, the state of New Hampshire is also less prone to the effects of a nuclear attack. Because it has a low population density and no major urban cities, the state might not be a primary target. Also, its rural nature and presence of adequate natural resources make it a safe state to live in the event of a nuclear attack. Though a recent study has revealed that no place is entirely safe, but New Hampshire’s radiation exposure will be between 0.001 Gy to 0.5 Gy.
Rhode Island
The Ocean State also known as Rhode Island is another state which, according to the scientific study, is one of the safest. Just like other northeastern states, the population of Rhode Island is relatively less, which makes it less likely to be targeted in comparison to big and densely populated regions. Because of its isolated location, the state might experience less fallout. Further, the state’s rural nature implies an abundance of access to natural resources, essential for a person’s survival.
Massachusetts
The American state of Massachusetts is very small in its area and is relatively safe to live in if a nuclear attack happens on US soil. Because it is located in the northeastern region of the United States and is away from major military targets, the state is less likely to be a primary target. During the Cold War period, many states in the US built infrastructure that was used during a nuclear attack and Massachusetts is one of them. It has fallout shelters and emergency plans. As per the recent study, the exposure radiation in this state might be 0.001 Gy to 0.5 Gy.
Connecticut
The state of Connecticut is located in the northeastern part of the United States, which is one of the reasons why it is safe to live in during a nuclear attack. Because of its position which is away from the country’s big military sites, the state is not a main target. The state has proper infrastructure and emergency services that could prove beneficial in the event of a nuclear attack. Further, Connecticut has less population which will not lead to massive casualties.
New Jersey
New Jersey, which is commonly known as The Garden State, is also located in the northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States due to which it is often considered a safe place to live in during a nuclear war. The state significantly invests in infrastructure due to which it has emergency response systems that could help in managing the aftermath of a nuclear attack. As the state is densely populated, but large parts of it are rural that might suffer less damage. According to a recent study, the exposure range in New Jersey will be between 0.001 Gy to 0.5 Gy.
Pennsylvania
As revealed by a recent scientific study, the American state of Pennsylvania has areas that are considered relatively safe during a nuclear attack. The state is spanned between the Mid-Atlantic, Great Lakes, Appalachian, and Northeastern regions. Because it is surrounded by mountains and has large rural areas, the state might not be a primary target. Also, because of the natural barriers, the state is protected from the exposure of fallout and radiation.
Delaware
Another state that is mapped out as safe to live in during a nuclear attack is Delaware. The state does not have large military sites or nuclear facilities which significantly reduces the likelihood of being a main target. The state has a small geographical location and is proximate to rural areas which might make the evacuation fast. Also, the state’s coastline along the Atlantic Ocean will provide a route for faster evacuation and supply of helpful resources.
Maryland
The American state of Maryland is also known as an Old Line State, which is located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. As per a recent scientific study, the state has been mapped out as ‘safe’ to live in during a nuclear attack on US soil. The study has revealed that during an attack, radiation exposure in this state will range between 0.001 Gy to 0.5 Gy, as compared to other high-profile and highly populated US states.
North Carolina
Because its geographical location is diverse, the American state of North Carolina is one of the safe states to live in during a nuclear attack. The state is surrounded by mountains and coastal areas. Most parts of the state are rural and have a low population density which implies that it is less likely to be targeted and might be safer from radiation fallout.
South Carolina
The Palmetto State, commonly known as South Carolina is located in the southeastern region of the United States. The state has rural areas which are far away from large urban areas which means these areas are less likely to be targeted by a nuclear missile. Further, the state has coastal plains, rivers, and rural areas that offer protection from the exposure of radiation. The scientific study has revealed that in South Carolina, the radiation exposure will be between 0.001 Gy to 0.5 Gy.
Georgia
The next southeastern state which is considered safe to live in during a nuclear attack is Georgia. The areas of this state are relatively rural and are sparsely populated due to which they might not be the primary targets. Additionally, the state has large agricultural lands which provides access to freshwater and food, essential for the survival of people. The state has Appalachian mountains and flat areas which might protect it from radiation fallout.
Florida
According to the recent scientific study, the American state of Florida is amongst the safe states to live in during a nuclear attack. The study maps out that the state’s radiation exposure will range between 0.001 Gy to 0.5 Gy, as compared to other US states which are in grave danger including Wyoming, Montana, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota and Nebraska.
Alabama
Alabama, which is also called the Yellowhammer State is a safe spot for people to live in during a nuclear attack on US soil. This is because large portions of this state are rural and have scattered population, which means they have less likelihood of being targeted. Further, the agricultural land and natural resources present in the state will make the survival of people much easier. Also, Alabama is situated away from big US states which can be primary targets.
Mississippi
The next state in the southeastern region which is relatively safe to live in during a nuclear attack is Mississippi. The state has vast rural areas, majorly in the northern and central parts, which reduces its likelihood of being a primary target. According to the recent study, Mississippi has been mapped out as a safe state because the radiation exposure in the state will range between 0.001 Gy to 0.5 Gy. Further, the state has access to freshwater resources which will definetly make survival easy for people.
Tennessee
The American state of Tennessee is located in the southeastern region of the United States. A recent study has mapped out this state as relatively safe because it is not-so-close from major coastal targets including New York, and Los Angeles. Further, the state has natural barriers such as Appalachian mountains which provides protection from radiation fallout. Also, the Tennessee River will provide unlimited access to freshwater.
Kentucky
The American state of Kentucky is considered safe to live in during a nuclear attack because most of its parts are rural, which reduces the likelihood of being a primary target. Also, the population density is very low in Kentucky which means there is less risk of massive casualties. Further, the state has many rivers such as the Ohio River, which will provide freshwater for people’s survival.
Ohio
Though some experts have expressed that the Midwest might be a primary target of nuclear attack, but the scientific study states on the contrary. The study has revealed that the exposure of radiation in Ohio will range between 0.001 Gy to 0.5 Gy, as compared to other US states, which are in grave danger. Also, the state has rural areas, an abundance of natural resources, and sparsely populated areas, which reduces its likelihood of being the main target.
Michigan
The American state of Michigan is safe to live in during a nuclear attack because it is located in the Great Lakes region. It’s geographical location provides some natural barriers from the harmful exposure of radiation and helps in diverting the spread of fallout. Also, the state has large farmlands, forests and freshwater which will make survival of people very easy.
Indiana
The next American state which is considered safe to live in during a nuclear attack is Indiana or the Hoosier State. This is because the state has an inland location and is far from major coastal areas. Further, most of the parts of the state are rural with access to farmlands and natural resources. The state also has abundance of freshwater resouces such as the Wabash River. The recent study has mapped out that Indiana’s radiation exposure will range between 0.001 Gy to 0.5 Gy.
