Asteroids, zombies and nukes: Virginia's apocalypse survival odds
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The probability of that asteroid everyone's talking about hitting Earth days before Christmas 2032 and ending life as we know it isn't likely.
But it got us thinking about how Virginia would fare in an apocalypse, and spoiler:
- According to apocalypse movies, which frequently mention us because of our proximity to D.C. and military bases, our odds aren't great.
Threat level: Our location makes us likely targets in nuclear wars.
- For climate disasters or asteroids hitting the Atlantic Ocean, Virginia's coastal areas are devastated first.
- In zombie or contagion scenarios, cities like Richmond are doomed.
- Rural Virginia is usually the best place to hole up.
We've rounded up five apocalypse-related movies, shows or games mentioning Virginia to break down our survival chances in each scenario.
Deep Impact (1998)
Apocalypse type: Giant comet.
Virginia mentions: The 7-mile comet set to collide with Earth is discovered by an astronomer in Richmond.
Survival chances: Low unless you can make it to the Appalachian Mountains because a comet fragment hits Cape Hatteras and causes a 1,000-foot tsunami to destroy most of the East Coast.
Day After Tomorrow (2004)
Apocalypse type: Climate.
Virginia mentions: There's a scene around the 1:04 mark where the protagonist played by Dennis Quaid draws a line across the U.S. and says to evacuate everyone south of it.
- Virginia is the first state on the East Coast below the line.
Survival chances:
- NoVa: Low because of the extreme cold.
- Richmond: Moderate if people can get further south.
- Hampton Roads: Moderate if it's not flooded.
Fallout 3 (2008)
Apocalypse type: Nuclear.
Virginia mentions: The game takes place in D.C., Maryland and Virginia in an area called "Capital Wasteland."
Survival chances: Extremely low, unless you're in a fallout shelter, because of radiation storms and mutants.
The Walking Dead (2010-22)
Apocalypse type: Zombies.
Virginia mentions: Multiple settlements or "safe zones" are located in Virginia, including the main one throughout the series, which is in Alexandria.
- The series spinoff was also filmed in Richmond, which is name-dropped in Season 5 of the original show.
Survival chances: Low unless you find a settlement.
Falling Skies (2011-15)
Apocalypse type: Alien invasion.
Virginia mentions: The main characters seemingly walk through the state in Season 5 and stay in Richmond for at least a week.
- There's a shot of two of them looking out onto Richmond's skyline and the James River.
- Another resistance group was also based out of a Norfolk naval base.
Survival chances: It does not look good for Richmond considering one character says "it's like a ghost town out here."
- NoVa: Low because of high alien presence.
- Hampton Roads: Moderate. Norfolk has a resistance group but it's messy.