Hawaii is already reactivating the old fall out shelters in their state. I am curious if continental states will start doing the same.

I have seen FEMA's plan for Crisis Relocation and it is unrealistic in frightening ways.

I agree with you Jeanette. That's why I am really surprised we are not seeing more action from the Governors (and mayors of large cities) who are on the West Coast. They seem to be pushing all the responsibility up to the federal level. But it doesnt work that way.

No-one has a real knowledge of the exact capability of N. Korea's missiles. If we use the estimates stated in the public news lately, then cities like Boston, Philadelphia, New York and Washington D.C. are just out-of-range of Kim Jong-Un's missiles. That's good!! But given the mentality of the Korean dictator, he is probably making a major effort to change that right now. In the future, if it is revealed that New York does come into range of the weapons, i just cannot imagine the mayor of New York sitting around and doing nothing.

And by the way - what about Alaska and Hawaii??? They are closer to Pyongyang than the West Coast of the USA. Hawaii is very smart if they are reactivating their shelters - they really need to!

Pete

Also my Great Aunt Eleanore, who by the way just turned seventy, and that side of my family lives in and around California. That is another reason to be concerned.

Jeanette Isabelle

That was a bit tongue-in-cheek. Obviously the administrations there and here are both a bit...over the top. But I don't think DPRK is suicidal. They work hard to appear crazy but I don't think they are. They're smart enough to know that using a nuke against the US or a close ally would mean their utter and complete destruction. Nukes are powerful tools to have in the tool box but they're nearly impossible to actually use. Granted, few weapons in history have ever been fielded and not used and things could change but I don't expect a nuclear exchange between the US and North Korea.

As far as stocking radiation meds, etc I really don't think there's much concern where I live. If the unthinkable happened and there was an exchange I don't think anything DPRK has can reach over the Rockies. Obviously it would still be disastrous to the world but not a radiological risk.

I beg to differ. I think Kim Jong-un truly is three fries shy of a happy meal. Yes, check your supply of potassium iodide tablets.

Jeanette Isabelle

I seriously doubt that Kim Jong Un thinks he can fire a nuke at the USA and survive it, nor do I think that he wants to die.

I suspect that he might well be deluded enough to believe that he COULD nuke America and survive.
Remember that he is surrounded by advisors who are required to agree with the great leaders views and observations.

Suppose, for sake of argument, that a senior advisor to the dear leader suggested that an attack on America was unwise and might not succeed. I would expect that the advisor would be executed within minutes.

if you'd like to see how a single nuclear explosion would affect any city, including yours, worldwide, go here: http://nuclearsecrecy.com/nukemap/

interactive.

The N. Koreans have backed themsrlves into a corner. They cannot stand down, they cannot change policy without making Kim Jong-Un look foolish in front of his own people. This is the weakness. Jong-un is more afraid of losing face in ftont of his own people. Therefore, if necessary he will fight a war, even a nuclear one, rather than risking "shame" inside his own country.

Missile wars happen very fast. In a missile war, you cannot afford to be #2. You must hit your enemy first. Both sides know this, and N. Korea has stated it publicly. So the rhetoric from both sides today (Friday) has put the entire Korean Penindula into a hair-trigger situation.

Things here in California are very calm. People dont seem at all concerned, they are going to work, or playing golf, as scheduled. I havent even seen anyone buying extra water or food. I am happy that people are remaining calm. But i cant help feeling that the Internet experience has caused many people to live in a 'virtual reality'. They Tweet about their opinions and concerns, but they do not take practical steps to safeguard themselves.

Pete

A missile war between North Korea and the US would be short. I do not believe we will launch a preemptive strike (conventional or nuclear) on North Korea simply because the N.Korean artillery response on Seoul would be devestating and very difficult to stop. That and the Chinese will probably be in the game if we strike first. OTOH if Trump stays on the high road and North Korea does something stupid/crazy, then we would be fully justified in responding with overwhelming force and methodically take out every site we have targeted. It would be short.

If Kim goes ahead with his missile launch with the aim of dropping a ballistic missile into the ocean near Guam, my thinking is that a minimum of two and probably all the B-1 bombers deployed to Anderson will be airborne before the missile impacts the water -- if the missile impacts the water. It's very possible we will use that missile as a practice target for THAAD and Aegis sytems in the area.

For us back here in CONUS, Guam may seem like a remote and not all that important target. I've been to Guam many times and trust me, the Navy and Air Force would take a test shot toward Guam very seriously. I doubt they would just let the test go as planned. Then again, I'm not familiar enough with the kinematics of those missiles and the geometry required to engage a ballistic missile with a planned offset to the target. I guess we'll see if and when.

Interesting times.