As tensions continue to bubble over between leaders and nations across the globe, an expert has provided a list of US cities that could be subject to a nuclear attack if WW3 starts.
President Donald Trump ordered a US attack on Iran’s nuclear sites last week, which has appeared to anger Russian President Vladimir Putin – who is currently waging war with Ukraine after his troops invaded its southern neighbor in February 2022.
The 79-year-old Republican has been calling for his 72-year-old counterpart to come to an agreement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over a peace deal – but the two seem no closer to ending the conflict than they did six months ago.
Of course, then you also have Trump starting a trade war with both Canada, Mexico and China – with the latter being much more intimidating due to the size of its army and the ongoing tensions.
Now, nuclear historian Professor Alex Wellerstein, of Stevens Institute of Technology, has detailed the 15 cities he fears could be targeted by an attack if the US’ enemies chose to wage nuclear war.
He told the Daily Mail: “If the adversary is Russia and their goal is to disable US retaliation, command centers and ICBM sites will be hit first. If the attacker is a rogue actor, symbolic or densely populated areas might be targeted instead.”
Great Falls, Montana
With a population of just 60,422, you wouldn’t imagine Putin would be overly keen on nuking Great Falls, in Montana – or anywhere in the state. Despite it being the fourth largest in America, it boasts of just over 1.1 million Americans residing in it.
However, its location is not far from Malmstrom Air Force Base that is understood to control hundreds of nuclear missile silos which Russia and China would fear would be used in a world war.
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Next up is Cheyenne, Wyoming, which neighbors Montana to the south – although it’s an almost 10-hour drive between Cheyenne and Great Falls.
Anyway, this small city has a population of just 65,168, but incorporates the Francis E Warren Air Force Base in its boundary.
The US Air Force have a control center that operates out of it for nuclear missile operations… so it probably goes without saying that residents could find themselves as collateral damage if anything did kick off.
Wyoming small capital, Cheyenne, could be completely wiped out by a nuke (Getty stock)
Ogden and Clearfield, Utah
If you live in either of Ogden and Clearfield, in Utah – which is located roughly a half-hour drive north of Salt Lake City and beside the Great Salt Lake – you may want to consider re-locating… that is of course if you believe World War 3 is on the horizon.
Combining both their populations together, you reach 121,737.
But Putin wouldn’t bomb the residential cities for any other reason than to take out Hill Air Force Base, which is one of the US’ nuclear weapons centers.
Shreveport, Louisiana
If Iran were to ever nuke somewhere, they’d be sure to note Shreveport, Louisiana, on their list of targets.
That’s because it is home to a number of B-52 bombers which can deliver city-destroying nuclear strikes.
Unfortunately, the 177,959 Shreveport residents that live a mere six miles away would probably be decimated by any atomic strike.
Honolulu, Hawaii
We’ve all heard of the Pearl Harbor attack, so Americans probably understand why Hawaii’s capital is deemed one of the greatest cities at risk of blown up.
It’s home to a number of military operations, both naval and air units occupy the island – which is located almost halfway between mainland America and Asia.
It has a population of 341,778, so let’s hope nothing too serious kicks off!
The beautiful skyline of Honolulu, Hawaii (Getty stock)
Omaha, Nebraska
All 483,335 residents in Omaha, Nebraska, could be quivering over Trump’s involvement in the bombing of Iran. That’s due to what lies on its outskirts – Offutt Air Force Base.
It was a major player during the Cold War and still plays a key role in the US’ nuclear operations.
Colorado Springs, Colorado
With 488,664 people residing in Colorado Springs, in Colorado, it could be a lucrative target if America’s enemies were hoping to take out both Americans and military bases – including the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) operating from the foot of the Rockies.
It is responsible for defending the North American airspace so it would be an ideal target to take out.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
If a nuke were to hit central New Mexico, in the words of ’80s pop-rock band Prefab Sprout, ‘Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque’.
Yes, Albuquerque is home to 560,274 people, as well as Kirtland Air Force Base – which boasts one of the largest nuclear arsenals in the US.
Washington, D.C.
OK, this is an easy one so do we have to explain? It is home of the president, the US Government, and 678,972 residents.
The White House, home to President Donald Trump, would be a major target – located in Washington DC (Getty stock)
Seattle, Washington
This Washington metro area is home to more than 737,015 people and is near Naval Base Kitsap, a major US submarine and nuclear weapons base.
Seattle is also a global tech hub and major seaport, adding to its importance.
The local geography also works against Americans trying to evacuate. Surrounded by mountains and waterways, there are only a few exits on land.
San Francisco, California
Now, the rest of these cities are rather obvious as they serve as such influential places in the US… so all we really need to do is list the population as they aren’t situated by any nuclear warheads or military stations.
There are 873,965 people that reside in San Francisco, California.
Houston, Texas
While it might not serve as the capital of Texas, Houston boasts of a population of 2.3 million people.
Houston, we have a problem… if Russia, China or North Korea ever decide to bomb the Texan city of Houston! (Getty stock)
Chicago, Illinois
Located beside Lake Michigan, if Chicago, Illinois, was nuked it would cause a devastating environmental problem further up north… as well as claim the lives of 2.6 million people.
Chicago is America’s third-largest city with approximately 9.6 million people in its great metro area.
Los Angeles, California
Russia and China, if you bomb Los Angeles, California, film fanatics will never forgive you – with it being the home of Hollywood, as well as 3.8 million residents.
New York City
Finally, the the crème de la crème of US cities is the Big Apple, New York City. It is houses an incredible 8.8 million people.
Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Anton Petrus
