A Nuke Just Dropped—Would You Survive in Your City Apartment?

You wake up to a flash brighter than the sun. The first thought isn’t fear, it’s confusion. Then comes the sound, the blast wave, and the terrifying realization: it’s not a dream. A nuclear bomb has detonated nearby. If you live in a city high rise, this is what surviving the unthinkable actually looks like.

Before disaster ever hits, the smartest move you can make is preparation. Living in a high rise apartment presents unique challenges when it comes to nuclear fallout. Your survival begins by identifying the safest place in your building. Ideally an underground parking garage or basement. If those aren’t accessible, the best option is the central core of the building, away from windows and outer walls. A windowless bathroom, hallway, or stairwell between floors can serve as your makeshift fallout shelter. The key is thick walls, limited outside exposure, and as many layers between you and the outdoors as possible.

Emergency supplies should already be packed and stored in that space or near your apartment door for fast access. Your kit should include bottled water, nonperishable food, a first aid kit, medications, flashlights with extra batteries, a hand crank or battery powered radio, dust masks, plastic sheeting, duct tape, gloves, and sanitation items. Don’t forget sturdy shoes. Stairs may be your only way out if elevators fail. Phones may stop working, especially after an electromagnetic pulse (EMP), so include a crank charger or power bank in your bag, but don’t rely on electronics. You’ll also want a hard copy of emergency contacts and a plan for checking in with family via an out of state contact, since local cell service may be overloaded or completely down.

If there’s advance warning, even just minutes, seal off your apartment. Shut all windows and vents, draw curtains, and turn off any air systems that bring in outside air. If time allows, tape your windows in an X pattern and cover openings with plastic sheeting. This won’t stop a blast but might reduce injury from shattered glass and airborne dust.

When the bomb detonates, the most immediate threat is the blast wave, which follows the blinding flash of light by seconds. Do not look at the flash; it can blind you. Get down immediately, ideally behind solid furniture or against an interior wall, and cover your head and neck. Lie flat, keep your mouth open slightly to protect your eardrums, and breathe shallowly to reduce dust inhalation. Once the shock wave passes, you have only minutes before radioactive fallout begins to settle.

If your current position isn’t the best available shelter, move quickly but stay inside the building. Use stairs to reach a more secure floor or central area. Avoid elevators, windows, exterior doors, and any parts of the building that show structural damage. Many high rises are built from concrete or brick and may survive the blast structurally. Use that to your advantage. The more walls between you and the fallout, the better.

After the blast, the threat becomes invisible but deadly. Fallout dust carries intense radiation, especially in the first few hours. Seal your shelter space as completely as possible. Close doors, block gaps with towels, and use duct tape and plastic to cover any vents or broken windows. Shut down any ventilation systems immediately. Stay inside your shelter area for at least 24 hours. Radiation drops dramatically after the first day, and staying put during this period drastically increases your chance of survival.

If you were exposed to dust or outside air, decontaminate yourself immediately. Remove outer clothing and seal it in a plastic bag far from your shelter area. If water is available, wash your skin and hair gently with soap and lukewarm water. Avoid using conditioner, as it can trap radioactive particles in your hair. If showers aren’t possible, use wet cloths to wipe down exposed areas. Don’t scrub hard. Breaking the skin could make it easier for radioactive particles to enter your body.

Monitor everyone for injuries and signs of radiation sickness, like nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and headaches within the first few hours. Offer first aid as needed, keep wounds clean, and avoid unnecessary movement. Do not drink tap water unless confirmed safe. Use stored bottled water first. If you must use water from your home’s plumbing, the water heater or toilet tank (not the bowl) may provide usable reserves if they were sealed from outside air.

Stay informed. Your radio is now your lifeline. Emergency broadcasts will provide updates, guidance, and potentially evacuation instructions. Conserve your radio’s battery by turning it on at the top of each hour. Avoid unnecessary phone use, but check periodically for text signals, as they may come back before voice service.

As the hours pass, focus on conserving your supplies. Limit food to rationed meals, avoid outdoor produce or anything exposed to dust, and use sealed packaged items from your pantry. Clean surfaces with damp cloths to prevent stirring radioactive dust. Keep trash and waste isolated, and if plumbing fails, use plastic lined buckets as makeshift toilets with disinfectant or bleach to control odor and germs.

The mental strain can be as severe as the physical. Breathe, stay calm, and maintain a routine. Check supplies, listen to the radio, write down important events or plans. If you’re not alone, support each other. Even small acts like talking, praying, or playing a card game can help preserve your sanity.

After 48 to 72 hours, radiation levels drop significantly, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe. If you must leave your shelter to search for more supplies or to evacuate, cover yourself completely with clothing that can later be discarded. Use a mask to avoid inhaling dust and wipe down anything you bring back in. Your first destination should be another shelter or safe location nearby. Don’t go wandering.

Only travel once you’ve confirmed that it’s safer outside, either through emergency broadcasts or a reliable radiation detector. If you plan to leave the city, do it cautiously, traveling on foot or bike if necessary, and wearing as much protective gear as possible. Avoid rooftops and ground areas where fallout may have accumulated in higher concentrations.

In the end, surviving a nuclear blast in a city comes down to preparation, timing, and discipline. By knowing where to go, what to pack, and how to act, your odds improve dramatically. The concrete walls that once separated you from the world outside could now be the very thing that saves your life. Stay ready. Stay calm. And stay inside.