Copyright 2006: Keith Birmingham



Nuclear weapons can be delivered by our enemies in several ways. It can be a weapon carried by a missile launched from aircraft, land or sea. A nuclear device can be transported by a single individual, or it may enter the country smuggled aboard an inbound aircraft or ship. The deadly effect of nuclear explosions are the intense heat (thermal radiation) created by the blast, nuclear radiation, the blast itself along with a blinding light, fires resulting from the original heat pulse, and secondary (such as an explosion caused by a ruptured gas line) fires.

The extent of damage from a nuclear blast varies according to several factors including: The size of the device. The cover of the terrain where the blast occurs. Not all materials react the same way to radiation. The terrain itself may limit the effects of the blast. A flat terrain allows the damage to be more widespread. Meteorological conditions(wind direction and speed) help control the direction, travel speed and how far the fallout will travel. The closer to the earth’s surface a blast occurs the more fallout there is due to the effects of the blast. All radioactive materials produced by a nuclear blast will fall back to the earth’s surface. The time it takes to do that varies with the weight of the particles, the weather and other factors. You cannot see or smell nuclear radiation. It must be detected by radiation monitoring devices.

The threat of nuclear attacks by terrorist is very real. Everyone should realize that our enemies could possibly succeed in delivering a nuclear advice onto U. S. soil, or anywhere else in the world. Potential targets include: large (especially financial centers) cities, government (military or civilian) installations, oil refineries, power plants, dams, chemical plants, shipping ports, and any important part of a nations infrastructure.

Distance, shelter and time are your major protection from any nuclear blast. If you know that blast is immanent you should evacuate the area if there is time. Otherwise seek an underground shelter. If an underground shelter is not available go to the center of the largest building available. Seek cover behind or under heavy and thick materials. Radioactive fallout will, in time, loose intensity. After about two weeks the intensity has dropped to about 1 % of the original intensity.

In case you are warned of an immanent attack:

Take shelter immediately.

Listen for information and follow instructions from local authorities.

If shelter is unavailable:

Do not watch the explosion.

Take cover behind any available protection.

Lie flat and cover as much as your body as possible (starting with the head).

After the blast seek shelter immediately to protect yourself from fallout.

You may have to remain in a shelter for a month or more. Try to have emergency provisions (food, clothing, flashlights, portable radio, medical supplies) of your own for a minimum of two weeks, more if possible. Most of the fallout would be downwind, and would occur in the first 24 hours. Listen to broadcast from emergency centers for all necessary instructions, including when to leave your shelter and return home.