Real estate experts have revealed the safest places in the US to buy a property to survive a nuclear war — as Russia continues to make nuke threats after waging its war in Ukraine.
A report by top U.S. spy officials this month concluded that Russia’s losses of ground forces have ‘increased its reliance on nuclear weapons’ and, in recent months, Vladimir Putin’s rhetoric has brought home the reality of how many strategic nuclear weapons remain, targeted at American cities.
Russia is believed to have 5,977 nuclear warheads, including 1,185 intercontinental ballistic missiles, 800 submarine-launched ballistic missiles and 580 air-launched from nuclear bombers, according to the Federation of American Scientists.
So where is a safe place to buy property to survive a nuclear exchange?
The map shows likely nuclear targets (purple) plus areas less likely to be hit – along with our realtors’ tips on where to buy
DailyMail.com spoke to real estate experts and overlaid their recommendations with a map that highlights potential nuclear targets, including large population centers, nuclear reactors and military installations.
The map includes data from the Natural Resources Defense Council and dates back several years – including two scenarios, a 500-warhead exchange and a 2,000-warhead exchange.
Irwin Redlener of Columbia University believes that six cities – New York, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington DC – are more likely to be targeted due to their financial and government connection.
Real estate expert Andrew Ragusa, CEO/Broker of REMI Realty on Long Island, NY says that buyers who are worried about nuclear conflict should reconsider their usual priorities.
Ragusa said: ‘In the event of nuclear war the location of your home can determine your chances for survival.
‘What used to be important when purchasing a home such as great school district, close to shopping, and near public transportation, has now changed to warm climate, access to food, and access to water.’
The effect of a nuclear blast centered on New York’s financial district are illustrated, wiping out the entire southern tip of Manhattan and causing severe damage and burns spanning much of Brooklyn and Jersey
The prospect of a nuclear strike has never seemed more real, with Vladimir Putin and his henchmen threatening to obliterate r Western capitals in the latest escalation of the Ukraine war. Pictured: A Survival Condo in Kansas
A Fallout Shelter sign and American flag next to the Manhattan Municipal Building. There are still fallout shelters scattered across New York City from the fraught Cold War era. Not all are fully operational, but may provide shelter and respite if the city was ever attacked with nuclear warfare
Ragusa recommends rural parts of Texas, Florida and California (far from large population centres which might make attractive targets) as places to survive a nuclear exchange.
He says: ‘The reason why I picked these three states is because they are near water and have warm climates. If you’re near water you will always be near food and water that can be ingested after it has been desalinated.
‘Be sure not to move into densely populated urban centers such as Miami, West Palm Beach, Houston, or San Francisco. The reason being these are likely targets for a nuclear attack.’
Ragusa also suggests states along the Missisisipi, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
He said: ‘Obviously the further south you go, the warmer the weather, but being in densely populated areas is going to be a counter-survival scenario.
‘Some people can weather the cold in the winter and if you can tough it out and be a little bit more isolated your survival chances are better.
‘Something else to consider is if you are close to farm areas, you’ll be able to find cattle who are hopefully unaffected and reproducing naturally, which would give you access to more protein and a greater diversity in food options.’
North and South Carolina also offer attractive options, Ragusa said.
‘Great weather, close the water, farmland, it has everything that you need for food, water and shelter,’ he added. ‘Just make sure you stay away from densely populated urban areas.
In a post-apocalyptic setting, the surviving people who become desperate will be one of the most challenging parts of life.
I would look for a place to live that’s in isolation, maybe in a wooded area. It’s important now to learn survival skills that our ancestors used to know as a daily way of life. Or at least buy a book on survival skills and keep it handy.’
Rural is best, agrees real estate expert Jasen Edwards, Chair of the Agent Editorial Board.
Edwards, author of The Top Producer Life, says the best place to buy property to survive a nuclear war is the Rocky Mountains.
He said: ‘The best place to buy property in the United States in the event of a nuclear war would be in the Rocky Mountains. This is due primarily to the terrain, which is rugged, remote, and difficult to access, making it difficult for nuclear warheads to reach the area.
‘The elevation of the Rocky Mountains means that fallout would be dispersed more quickly and assisted by higher winds, which could help to minimize any radioactive material reaching the area.
He also recommends areas in the Midwest and southeast – particularly rural ones with access to fresh water and farmland.
He says, ‘Areas in the Midwest and Southeast are far away from major nuclear targets, and have plenty of access to fresh water, food, and supplies.
‘These areas are generally outside of major population centers, meaning there is less of a chance of fallout from a nuclear attack. These areas are often less expensive than other parts of the country, which makes it easier to buy a property and build a shelter.
He also tips Nebraska as a good choice. ‘Nebraska’s geographical location offers protection against nuclear fallout.’
The map shows potential targets in every state, with dense clusters along the eastern seaboard and in California. Particularly large clusters are also highlighted in Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming.
Active nuclear power plants are large targets. There are around 90 active nuclear plants in the United States, including plants in Alabama, Arizona, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.
The US has strategically positioned nuclear forces, which could be prime nuclear targets, far from population centers. There are ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile silos), naval and air force bases, and nuclear storage depots scattered across the country.
