When it comes to preparing for a nuclear disaster, there are three primary threats you need to consider. First is the threat of a nuclear weapons attack, most likely coming from a rogue nation with nothing to lose. Along that same line is the more likely limited nuclear threat posed by a dirty bomb. The third is the threat that’s most often ignored or overlooked, and that is the threat in our own backyard, the threats posed by accidents at nuclear power plants.
The threat of all-out nuclear war in America is probably pretty small because our nuclear arsenal ensures mutual destruction for the attacking country. That being said, it’s not something we can ignore. The fact is, the world is a very dangerous place and there are a number of rogue nations that are doing everything they can to obtain nuclear weapons. In fact, China even released detailed plans, through their state media, on how they can strategically target the United States with nuclear bombs. So while the threat may be small, there are nations throughout the world that are actively planning to use this devastating type of warfare.
A dirty bomb is a type of weapon that combines an explosive material with either a biochemical or radioactive material. In the case of radioactive dirty bombs, when the explosive is detonated, the blast pushes the radioactive material into the air, contaminating the immediate area. The degree of damage caused by a dirty bomb depends on a number of factors, including the type of radioactive material used, the size of the explosive, weather conditions, and where the bomb is detonated.
When people hear the term radioactive bomb, they often think of nuclear fallout and mass casualties. While some dirty bombs could potentially kill a fairly large amount of people, the main problem would likely be the public’s reaction following the attack. The panic that would spread after this type of attack has the potential to not only change the way people live, but could be devastating to our economy. This makes detonating a dirty bomb every terrorist’s dream, and terrorist organizations throughout the world are doing everything they can to make that dream become a reality.
The scary thing about this type of bomb is the fact that it doesn’t take much expertise to build one. In fact, anyone who can build a conventional explosive weapon could theoretically build a dirty bomb, provided the radioactive material is attainable. The relative ease of constructing one of these explosive devices makes it incredibly likely that at some point a terrorist organization is going to set one off.
While nuclear war and weapons might be scary, if you look at the history of nuclear technology, the biggest nuclear threat comes from accidents inside nuclear power plants. From Chernobyl and Three Mile Island, where mistakes led to the release of large amounts of radioactive material into the atmosphere, to the recent Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster that followed two large-scale natural disasters in Japan, the most immediate nuclear threat we face is the one in our own backyard.
There are currently over one hundred commercial nuclear reactors scattered throughout the United States. Many of these reactors have been allowed to operate far past their lifespan, and many have been plagued by problems that have been largely ignored by the mainstream media.
After watching events unfold in Japan, one thing became painfully clear: If you live anywhere near a nuclear power plant you need to be especially prepared for natural disasters, and you need to have an evacuation plan.
Understanding the threat is the first step in being able to survive a potential nuclear disaster. That means being aware of what dangers are out there, and then using that knowledge to make a plan.
The goal of terrorists who would detonate a dirty bomb is to inflict as much damage as possible to increase public fear. Because they want mass casualties, they will most likely target crowded places, large urban centers, and highly publicized events.
The safest thing you can do is to get as far away from the nuclear threat as possible. Create an evacuation plan with multiple routes to a designated safe location. Keep bug out bags filled with necessary survival supplies stocked and ready to go at all times for every member of your household.
These supplies include
If you have a basement, make sure it’s stocked with food and water, a battery-powered radio (with extra batteries), flashlights, and any other emergency supplies that will be essential to your survival. Also, every inch of shielding that you can add to your shelter will further reduce your exposure to radiation. A heavy, solid material (like packed dirt, lead, thick walls, layers of rock, concrete, bricks, or any dense materials) between you and fallout is best. Stay indoors or below ground.
Start stocking up on food and water. Radioactive fallout can contaminate local food and water supplies for quite some time, so it’s extremely important to have a stockpile of emergency food and water.
Stock up on sanitation items. It may not be pleasant to think about, but it’s going to be even worse if you aren’t prepared to deal with sanitation issues. Make sure you have garbage bags, cleaning supplies, and a portable camp toilet or a five-gallon bucket inside your shelter.
As I said, getting as far away from the disaster area is the safest thing you can do. Make evacuation your top priority and put your plan into place. If you are in the middle of an evacuation when the fallout starts to hit, immediately roll up your windows and turn off your air vents.
If evacuation wasn’t an option or you find yourself inside the fallout zone, you need to take shelter.