Navigating the Unthinkable: What to Do if a Nuclear Missile Heads Your Way

It's difficult to grapple with the prospect of a nuclear missile being directed toward one's home. The immediate reaction often depends on the warning time, and the instinct to flee is almost a universal response. Whether there is sufficient time to evacuate or if the situation appears hopeless, the human response is often to try and escape or seek protection.

Escape or Survival Tactics?

Starting with the physical act of escape, if you have enough warning time, gathering personal items and fleeing to a safe location is crucial. For instance, if you find out an ICBM is targeting your home, you might consider moving quickly to a safer nearby valley. In the scenario described, the target valley in Oregon's coastal rainforest is surrounded by basalt, minimizing the blast's impact. So, if the area can be escaped in time, the immediate action would be to drive away, taking as many back roads as possible to minimize the risk of being intercepted or hit by debris or blast.

Emergency Preparations: What to Do in the Minutes Before Impact

In short warning periods, the key is to go underground before the missile strikes. This involves creating makeshift shelters in your home, such as filling bathtubs with water, closing windows, and securing loose items. Other essential actions include securing water sources and preparing for potential fallout. Water is urgently needed to stay hydrated, and having access to it in a safe location is critical.

Understanding the Impact: Blast, Heat, and Radiation Effects

The effects of a nuclear blast can be categorized into three main areas: blast, heat, and radiation. The blast is the most immediate threat and poses the greatest risk to life. The intensity of the blast is measured in psi (pounds per square inch) and can vary significantly.

Blast Effects:

10 psi: Equivalent to a 294 mph wind, it will severely damage reinforced concrete buildings and cause widespread fatalities. 5 psi: Equivalent to a 163 mph wind, which can destroy most wood framed structures, resulting in widespread injuries and fatalities. 2 psi: Equivalent to a 70 mph wind, it will shatter glass windows but not tempered glass windows, and cause injuries from loose objects and glass.

Sheltering in place is crucial. A basement offers some protection, but additional measures can significantly reduce the blast's force. Creating a foxhole, placing a solid piece of plywood over your head, or adding mass over yourself can greatly mitigate the effects. A room under 3 feet of dirt can provide around 100 times more protection.

Heat Effects:

The heat from a nuclear blast can cause severe burns if not properly protected. Light colors provide better protection as they reflect more heat. When the flash occurs, immediately lie face down and away from the blast wave until it passes. If the building is on fire, leaving immediately is crucial, even if it is charred, as fallout will soon follow.

Radiation Effects:

While the initial radiation is intense, it decays quickly. Radiation originating from fallout can cause significant harm, especially in the first hour after detonation. Survival requires extensive protection. A basement offers protection, but additional layers of mass such as concrete, lead, or lead-lined sheet metal can provide further shielding. The aim is to reach a protection factor of 40 or higher, with some government resources suggesting a minimum of 200.

Important sources for further preparation include government publications, such as the Nuclear Weapons Design and the FAS Nuclear Resilience Guide.

In conclusion, the key to surviving a nuclear missile attack is preparedness, immediate action, and seeking shelter. Understanding the potential impacts of blast, heat, and radiation can help in formulating an effective survival plan. As technology continues to evolve, knowledge and resourcefulness are critical in navigating such extreme scenarios.