Hawaii will start testing its nuclear warning sirens again on Friday for the first time since the end of the Cold War in the early 1990s.
The monthly test of the sirens will ensure the warning system is working in case of a nuclear attack on the island state by North Korea, which has already tested missiles that could reach Hawaii.
After the first successful missile launch by North Korea in July, Hawaii’s emergency management officials published guidelines on surviving a nuclear attack. The nuclear warning sirens would give about 15 minutes for the island’s 1.4 million residents to take cover in a blast-resistant structure, The New York Times reported.
There are only 4,661 miles between Hawaii and North Korea, making it, along with Alaska, the closest U.S. land to the dictatorial regime that has been testing missiles in defiance of the world community for the last several years.
A top South Korean official announced Tuesday that North Korea may be able to arm a long-range ballistic missile with a nuclear warhead as early as next year.
“They have been developing their nuclear capabilities faster than expected,” Cho Myoung-gyon said, CNN reported. “We cannot rule out the possibility of North Korea declaring the completion of their nuclear program next year.”
Hawaii does not currently have enough fallout shelters for all of its people, since its population has grown since the Cold War. In case of an attack, residents are advised to go inside and remain sheltered for 14 days. They can listen to local AM-FM radio stations for further information, including alerts about when it is safe to leave their home or shelter.
Twitter supported the testing of the nuclear warning sirens and agreed Hawaii could be under threat from North Korea.
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