To Survive a Nuke, Take Shelter STAT

Why in the NY Times now? It's probably in aid of pushing a vote on the wrongheaded START treaty, as if aging Russia were our big risk, but we'll take it, because AQ is threatening as is Iran. Here's the skinny:

In 2007, Congress appropriated $5.5 million for studies on atomic disaster planning, noting that “cities have little guidance available to them.”

The Department of Homeland Security financed a multiagency modeling effort led by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California. The scientists looked at Washington, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and other big cities, using computers to simulate details of the urban landscape and terrorist bombs.

The results were revealing. For instance, the scientists found that a bomb’s flash would blind many drivers, causing accidents and complicating evacuation.

The big surprise was how taking shelter for as little as several hours made a huge difference in survival rates.

I usually have some supplies on hand for a power outage or a storm or two--this is useful advice--good to know some have a fighting chance.

I remember as a child of the 50's thinking our basement, which had plenty of windows, didn't offer much shelter, but I grew up in the middle of nowhere so I wasn't too worried. Now I live in a prime target. With this president in charge.

HT Pundit & Pundette, Instapundit

Related. Heritage: Release the START Negotiating Record:

Kyl’s press conference was a major blow to the White House as a slew of potential yes votes lined up to announce they would not vote for the treaty this year, including the newly sworn-in Senator Kirk and Senators Lamar Alexander (R–TN), Kit Bond (R–MO), Saxby Chambliss (R–GA), Orrin Hatch (R–UT), Mike Johanns (R–NE), George Lemieux (R–FL), and John Thune (R–SD).

Good. We need a serious, fresh look at all of this. It's too important.