A CHILLING list has revealed which US cities will most likely be hit first if World War III were to happen.
As the US has called for peace following the strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, many Americans fear the possibility of war, as Iran‘s allies, China and Russia, have some of the largest arsenals on the planet.
Experts have revealed a chilling list of major US cities that could be targets in a hypothetical nuclear attack[/caption]
New York City would be the most obvious target in a possible full-scale attack[/caption]
In 2019, Russian state television revealed several locations across the US that could be targeted in a possible nuclear strike, according to Reuters.
Since then, several experts have warned about what could happen if a third world war were to break out.
The list includes several major cities like New York and Washington DC, however, other cities caught in the hypothetical crossfire could take some Americans by surprise.
Cities like Shreveport, Louisiana, and Ogden, Utah, could be in danger of possible attacks due to their hidden importance to national security.
“If the adversary is Russia and their goal is to disable US retaliation, command centers and ICBM sites will be hit first,” Alex Wellerstein, a professor at Stevens Institute of Technology, told the Daily Mail.
“If the attacker is a rogue actor, symbolic or densely populated areas might be targeted instead.”
Here’s a list of the 15 likeliest targets due to population, distance to a military facility, emergency preparedness, and ease of evacuation.
HONOLULU, HAWAII
While it’s normally seen as a tropical vacation spot, the city is one of the most at-risk nuclear targets in the country.
The island houses several military installations, such as Pearl Harbor and the Hickam Air Force Base.
There are more than 350,420 residents on the island as of 2025, making it very densely populated.
Lastly, because the island is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, an evacuation would be nearly impossible.
SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA
The Louisiana metro area has some of the most powerful nuclear airbases in the US.
Barksdale Air Force Base has B-52 bombers, which can deliver nuclear strikes around the globe
As of 2025, the city has a population of 172,033, making the possible civilian casualty very high.
OGDEN-CLEARFIED, UTAH
The two cities are tucked along the Wasatch Front, which is near Hill Air Force Base, one of the country’s most important military bases.
The base supports the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center.
Both cities have a combined population of more than 121,717 and have a direct line of fire to any kind of nuclear attack, despite their mountain views.
It would be difficult to evacuate due to the mountainous environment and a limited number of main roads.
CHEYENNE, WYOMING
Despite being a small city, Cheyenne has much strategic value due to hosting the Francis E. Warren Air Force Base
With a population of just 66,600, it’s not as densely populated as other cities, but its role in America’s missile defense makes it a high-priority target.
Even with its population, an evacuation would prove difficult in the city, making it likely that it would be one of the first cities hit in a nuclear war.
GREAT FALLS, MONTANA
With only 60,422 residents, it safe to say most people haven’t even heard of this city.
However, it houses the Malmstrom Air Force Base, which controls hundreds of nuclear silos just a few miles away.
There are several factors that make evacuating difficult, including cold weather, a limited road network, and isolation as it’s a long distance between major population centers.
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO
At the foot of the Rockies lies the North American Aerospace Defense Command along with several other military facilities.
NORAD is responsible for defending the airspace over the US and Canada.
The city has a population of 492,500 and has a mountainous terrain, which makes it hard to evacuate.
OMAHA, NEBRASKA
It seems like just another Midwestern city, but it’s actually integral to the country’s nuclear arsenal.
Just outside the city is the Offutt Air Force Base, a top-level command site
The city has a population of about 486,051 at the time of writing.
Due to limited shelters and tricky roads, evaction would be difficult.
ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO
This city houses the Kirtland Air Force Base, which has one of the largest stockpiles of nuclear weapons in the US arsenal.
It has a population of 557,198 with a sprawling desert landscape the could make evacuation a slow process.
The city also has infrastructure, which could make evacuation hard.
HOUSTON, TEXAS
With more than 2.3 million residents, a nuke hitting the city would be a devastating reality.
The city is also the energy capital of the US and sits just miles away from a nuclear power plants
There are also oil refineries and shipping ports in the city, meaning that a hit here would have lasting effects in the US
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
The Washington metro area has nearly a million people and lies near the Naval Base Kitsap, a major US submarine and nuke base.
Striking Seattle would also hit the country’s major tech hub and seaport.
Since it’s surrounded by a seaport and mountains, evacuating would prove extremely difficult
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
The city of angels has 3.7 million residents, making it the second largest metropolitan area.
It also houses major ports, tech, media, and defense industry sites, making it a clear target.
Evacuating LA could prove impossible as freeways are constantly jammed and the city’s public transportation system could be effected by a full-scale attack.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
With more than 842,000 residents, the Bay Area city is a major tech hub and port zone with global connections.
However, due to its geographic location, an evacuation will be impossible as it’s boxed in by water and mountains.
Plus, the bridges would fill up quickly, leaving residents with few ways to lease.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
As America’s third-larget city, it’s surrounded by four nuclear plants and houses a national transportation hub.
The city’s economic role and infrastructure also make it a high-risk location.
WASHINGTON, DC
As the US Capital, this city is the heart of American politics, making it a huge target in a full-scale attack.
The city is home to the White House, the Capitol, and the Pentagon.
NEW YORK CITY
Lastly, we have America’s most populous metro area with 7.9 million people and home of Wall Street, the United Nations, and several media outlets.
A nuclear strike in New York City would be devastating and extremely symbolic — the kind of attack that would send a message around the world.
Because of this, it’s the most obvious and expected target on the list due to the amount of casualties and how the lasting effects it would have on the country.
Other cities such as Seattle, Washington would be nearly impossible to evacuate[/caption]
San Francisco, California would be an iconic city that could be targeted in an attack[/caption]
Washington DC is another obvious choice due to it being the political heart of the US[/caption]
