What Would Happen If Arizona Was Nuked?

If you lived in the last century, you probably remember doing "duck and cover" drills. In case you're unfamiliar, an alarm went off just like during a fire drill. Students were taught to crouch underneath their school desks and protect their heads.

When the Cold War (technically) ended at the close of the 1980s, we looked back and realized the folly of such a plan. Most public schools don't have fallout shelters, so in retrospect, I suppose some plan was better than no plan at all.

Is Arizona a Target for Nuclear Attack?

With tensions ramping up across the globe, politicians are murmuring about the possibility of a nuclear attack on our shores.

Americans who live on the coastlines or in our largest cities may have more to worry about in case of an attack. In Arizona, the odds are somewhat lower but not zero.

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Could Arizona Be the Target of a Nuclear Attack?

So what are the chances Arizona could fall under attack in a nuclear conflict? Arizona has a few strategic locations that could make it a target.

READ: What Caused One of Arizona's Largest Disasters?

Phoenix and Tucson are major urban centers with significant infrastructure. Phoenix, our state capital and largest metropolitan area, could become a target.

Tucson is home to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, which could be a strategic military target. Other targets could be Yuma, with Yuma Proving Grounds, and the Sierra Vista area, which has Fort Huachuca on its doorstep.

Could Arizona Survive a Nuclear Attack?

Now, let's talk survival. What are the chances Arizona's citizens would emerge from a situation like this unscathed?

If a nuclear attack happened in our state, the immediate impact would be devastating. The blast radius, intense heat, and radiation would cause significant destruction and loss of life. The extent of the damage would depend on the size and type of the nuclear weapon used, and the actual level of damage would depend on where a nuke was detonated.

READ: People in Arizona 'Freaked Out' About Possible Super Volcano

What about fallout shelters? Does Arizona even have these anymore?

Arizona does have some fallout shelters, but as you can probably guess, they wouldn't be enough to protect everyone.

A map compiled by TruePrepper.com shows fallout shelters scattered across Arizona. As you've probably guessed, the supplies in these shelters haven't been replenished since the Cold War.

While they might provide a level of physical protection, they're not fully equipped for long-term shelter against a modern nuclear attack.

It's a sobering thought, but now might be a good time to take action to be prepared for a future attack.

Sources: 12News | Newsweek | TruePrepper.com