In recent weeks, Russian officials have threatened to use nuclear weapons against the United States if Moscow loses its occupied territories in Ukraine. Even more recently, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed to have an arsenal that is "much more" advanced than what we have in the United States. Should Americans be concerned about a nuclear attack? More specifically, should Hoosiers be concerned?

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There are a handful of areas around the country that would be obvious targets for Russia or anyone else who wants to harm America. None of those obvious targets are here in Indiana, but that doesn't necessarily mean we have nothing to worry about. According to government officials, some parts of Indiana might be targets during a nuclear attack.

A map released by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) back in 2015 has resurfaced recently and is getting some attention, especially in the wake of the escalating situation between Russia and Ukraine.

Federal Emergency Management Agency from 2015
Federal Emergency Management Agency from 2015
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The map above shows areas of the country that have been identified as likely targets in the event of a nuclear attack against the United States. The purple triangles represent an area most likely to be hit during a first-strike scenario (with approximately 500 missiles). The black dots represent areas likely to be targeted in a full-blown warhead scenario (with about 2,000 missiles).

Federal Emergency Management Agency from 2015
Federal Emergency Management Agency from 2015
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The county's eastern half is covered in purple triangles and black dots, and Indiana is right in the middle of all that madness. We're certainly not as "popular" as the East Coast, but we're also not just sitting back and twiddling our thumbs if (God forbid) we ever hear those sirens go off.

Federal Emergency Management Agency from 2015
Federal Emergency Management Agency from 2015
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Is Southern Indiana Safe From a Nuclear Attack?

According to the map, Southern Indiana is NOT the safest place to be in the event of a nuclear attack. I'm not saying that Evansville is a direct target, but there is one of those pesky purple triangles near us and three black dots that are a little too close for comfort.

Keep in mind that this map was released in 2015, so it's very possible that this information has changed in the last several years. I'll admit the map is a little startling, but I am certainly not going to lose any sleep over it and I wouldn't recommend that you do either.

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