Potential Fallout from a Nuclear Strike on Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona

As tensions with Russia escalate, the threat of a nuclear attack has returned to the forefront of global discussions. Should the USA become a target, cities in the southwestern U.S., including El Paso, Texas, and parts of Arizona, could face catastrophic consequences.

In a recent article, Newsweek referenced maps created by Alex Wellerstein, a historian and professor of nuclear technology, to show the potential devastation of a Russian nuclear strike using their most powerful missile. For El Paso and surrounding areas, which stretch into northern Mexico and as far as Alamogordo, New Mexico, the human toll would be staggering. A strike in this region could result in 849,010 deaths and 952,950 injuries.

The article also describes the broader effects of a nuclear blast. In areas up to 4,000 miles away from the detonation, the immediate damage would be relatively minor, with effects like broken windows and light structural damage. However, the zones directly affected by the blast would experience unimaginable devastation.

How Many Would Be Killed or Injured in a Nuclear Blast?

Using the Wellerstein maps, Newsweek calculated the death toll and injuries for major U.S. cities based on the detonation of a nuclear weapon.

• Houston: 1,238,500 dead, 1,995,390 injured
• Dallas: 1,045,700 dead, 1,957,170 injured
• San Antonio: 761,840 dead, 754,110 injured
• Albuquerque: 417,980 dead, 359,500 injured
• Phoenix: 972,050 dead, 1,475,300 injured

What About Other Cities?

For those curious about the potential impact of a nuclear attack on other cities, Newsweek’s interactive map offers a tool that allows users to simulate the effects of a nuclear blast. By selecting a city and entering details about the size and type of bomb, the map generates estimates of casualties and injuries, helping to visualize the devastating power of nuclear weapons.

This sobering information underscores the importance of understanding the potential consequences of nuclear warfare, particularly in the southwestern U.S. where major cities would bear the brunt of such an attack.

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