Nuclear Power Plant Meltdown – 50 Mile Radius

August 12, 2014, by Ken Jorgustin


Have you wondered where the safest or safer place would be from a nuclear power plant – given that a SHTF collapse ‘might’ lead to nuclear meltdown and disaster ‘if’ the power grid were to go down?

You better be at least 50 miles from a nuclear power plant, and preferably not in a downwind location based on the prevailing winds (which are typically west to east – with variations thereof)…

While population density is always a survivability factor in SHTF survival, you may also want to consider your location with regards to the nearest nuclear power plant.

Here’s the thing… IF we were to succumb to a disaster which which could bring down our electrical power grid, or even a region thereof (‘Carrington’ Event?), (an EMP?), those who are living within the reach of a nuclear power plant will be at high risk due to the potential for meltdown and the follow-on consequences.

All you have to do is look back at what happened at Fukushima Japan (following the earthquake, tsunami, and meltdown) – the enormous region of land surrounding that power plant became uninhabitable.

Nuclear power plants need electricity to keep their enormous water cooling pumps working. Without their cooling pumps, a nuclear meltdown will be assured.

While nuclear power plants do have backup diesel power generators, there are circumstances whereby these generators could be rendered useless.

How long can a nuclear power plant operate with their generators? Until they either run out of fuel or until they break down. Both circumstances are potentially inevitable in a SHTF world.

I have assembled the following map which illustrates all of the operating nuclear power plants in the United States, and have added a 50 mile radius (100 mile diameter) circle around each one.


Full Size Map

I have chosen a 50-mile radius as a reasonable distance factor, given that generally speaking – any radioactive fallout will dissipate according to the inverse-square-law. Wind patterns WILL affect this however, and the method of fallout will also affect the spread pattern (explosion and altitude versus meltdown, etc.) however I believe this is a fair guideline to consider as a minimum and perhaps somewhat safe distance – for starters…