Primary Targets: Financial Centers

Our study assumes nuclear strikes on one or more of the following targets:

• New York City
• Washington, DC
• Baltimore
• Chicago

Local Effects

Assuming a high-altitude strike, there would be local devastation and destruction, horrible fallout effects, widespread fires, and significant interruption of power generation and distribution as well as a likely collapse of other utilities and all social services. Survivors would include a large proportion of homless, due to the destruction. Livability would be severely compromised and radiation injuries would continue to kill folk for weeks and months.

We must consider that such a nuclear strike(s) could cripple or eliminate our federal governance apparatus. That event would likely have some interesting effects on daily life around the country.

Electronic financial transactions would be impossible locally, and it is possible that this effect could be very widespread, at least temporarily.

It is likely that Martial Law would be declared across much of the NE US, and perhaps for much or all of the nation. Locally, National Guard forces would be deployed and it's likely they would demand surrender of all civilian arms (think Louisiana & Katrina). Curfews would likely be in effect.

Under no circumstances should we surrender a single gun or round of ammo. On that hill, we must all be prepared to die. But not without taking our pound of evil flesh.

National Effects: We would be at war

• All US air travel would be shut down
• All stock trading would be shut down
• All US military would be activated, the Navy deployed to coastal waters (and elsewhere).
• It is possible that all banking conventions would be either interrupted or modified
• It is possible that Martial Law and/or curfews would be declared nationally, possibly other strictures
• Many east-coast ports would be shut down
• Shipping and logistics would be disrupted or shut down
• Electronic transactions would be disrupted or shut down

North Texas:

Immediate Effects for Us

Given the relative location of the strike(s), nuclear fallout would likely not be any issue for us here in Texas. The only possible direct effects from a high-altitude, large device detonation would be the slim possibility of EMP effects. However, given the distance between here and there, the EMP effects would likely be very mild.

Intermediate Effects for Us

It is likely there would be a vacuum of federal governance, replaced by state orders or some kind of quasi-federal orders. We would likely come under some sort(s) of state/fed strictures, given the wartime stance of the nation.

it is likely that some local resources and support personnel would be allocated to relief efforts. There is also the possibility that many large fires would spread across the country and could conceivably reach our areas in a few weeks, as they would be beyond our abilities to stop.

Another likely factor would be the influx of large numbers of refugees from affected areas, especially if power outtages were far-reaching. It is possible that folk would migrate into areas where power service continues. Some might make it as far as Texas so we might find outselves competing for local resources and enduring social disruptions.

Yet another likely effect of destruction and disruption on the east coast is interruption of supply-chain elements, as east-coast ports are important for a number of products and resources (which ones?). It would likely take quite a while for those arteries to be reestablished and some might not come back for a very long time or at all.

The real problem we here in Texas would likely face would be organized leftist groups—some claiming federal authorization—that would work to take advantage of the confusion and fear after a nuclear strike to seize local control of authority and resources. As they acquire control, they'd likely impose bans on "food hoarding" and firearms. Free people would be required to keep a very low profile, hide resources, and develop resistance networks and capabilities.

Long-Term Effects for Us

The leftist insurgent groups would likely solidify their entrenchment and control of some areas, mostly cities. Their control and requirements/orders would likely grow in scope as time goes on.

City governments might coordinate with and legitimize the organized leftist groups.

It is possible that a large number of refugees could put a strain on food, product, housing, supplies, and logistics. Moreover, if our area received a large number of NE US refugees, these new residents would bring with them their socialist ideologies and would dilute our American values, with effects in local, state, and national elections.