Expert reveals the 15 US cities that would be first targets if WW3 started and some might surprise you
A nuclear historian has revealed the 15 cities that could become targets should WW3 break out and the nation face the devastation of nuclear missiles.
Tensions between the US and, well, the rest of the world remain pretty high right now.
Under Donald Trump’s leadership, the country has managed to frustrate and alarm much of South America following the kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
As well as this, Trump and his administration have warned Iran that the US may intervene in the political chaos that is unfolding in the country.
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And to top it off, the US also seems to be annoying its NATO allies with repeated insistence that Greenland needs to be annexed and become a part of the country.
While these tensions have sparked fears of World War 3, the idea of bombs, especially nuclear bombs, being dropped on the US remains a far-off idea in many people’s minds.
However, a nuclear historian, Professor Alex Wellerstein, of Stevens Institute of Technology, has previously reflected on the potential reality of this.
Speaking to the Daily Mail last year, he said: "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 just over 1.1 million Americans residing in it.
However, its location is not far from Malmstrom Air Force Base, which 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 within its borders.
The US Air Force has 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.
Ogden and Clearfield, Utah
If you live in either Ogden or 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, 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 who 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 being 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!
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 to the president, the US government, and 678,972 residents.
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 who reside in San Francisco, California.
Houston, Texas
While it might not serve as the capital of Texas, Houston boasts a population of 2.3 million people.
Chicago, Illinois
Located beside Lake Michigan, if Chicago, Illinois, were 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 crème de la crème of US cities is the Big Apple, New York City. It houses an incredible 8.8 million people.
Gerrard Kaonga