

Unless you're told to go outside, it's best to stay put until the risk of contamination has gone down.

But anything left uncovered, such as fruits or veggies from a garden, would be unsafe to eat. You can also eat items from your pantry or refrigerator, as long as you wipe off containers, cookware, counters, and utensils. It's safe to consume food from sealed containers such as packages, bottles, or cans, according to the CDC. The CDC also recommends sealing outer layers of clothing in a plastic bag, along with any tissues or cloths used to wipe your body or face. Rescuers take care of a wounded person during a simulation exercise of a nuclear accident at the Areva nuclear plant in Beaumont-Hague, France, on December 8, 2011.īlow your nose and wipe your ears and eyelids, since debris could get stuck in these places. If Russia launched a weapon from international waters just off the East Coast, people in cities like New York, Boston, and Washington, DC, might have just 10 to 15 minutes to prepare. Morra, a former Air Force intelligence officer, a retired senior executive in the aerospace and defense industry, and author. "In theory you could park a submarine closer to North America, thereby lessening the warning and flight time," said Brian J. Some weapons, such as submarine-launched missiles, could potentially have shorter delivery times. Were Russia to launch a nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missile at the US, residents would have roughly 30 minutes, or less, to find shelter, assuming they were immediately warned of the attack. Russia's nuclear arsenal is capable of striking just about anywhere on the planet. On top of that, the President may choose to send out a " Presidential Alert" to cell phones nationwide. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) would also send out the same alert message as the WEA across all types of television and radio broadcasts, including satellite, cable, and wireless systems.

Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders.
