The Post-Apocalyptic Roadmap/Nevada
Part of the Post-Apocalyptic Roadmap Project.
Northern Nevada
No one is entirely sure why, but Carson City, and Reno/Sparks were spared from nuclear strikes almost entirely. Whether it was a calculation error, or something else, warheads bound for Carson and Reno/Sparks exploded 40 miles due East of their intended targets.
The state government of Nevada remains pretty much intact, though divided on who should be in charge. Sadly, a bloody conflict centered around the choice between the MGUS and CGUS resulted in mass bloodshed in Carson City. The Shootout all but dissolved the local government. Thankfully, it was mostly reconstructed, and the Survivors chose to support Pegasus.
All three cities have become centers for refugees and CGUS supporters. However, A year ago, the New Government of Nevada declared itself an independent nation. Their reason being a desire to distance themselves from the civil war.
While a bastion of civilization surrounded by chaos and strife, Carson is subject to attacks from supporters of Both fragments of the former United States Governments, both vying for the attention of the New Nevadan Senate, and often breaking into open conflict on the streets. Reno is no different, having accumulated a large shantytown on it's outskirts.
tl;dr I wanted a surviving, nearly unscathed set of cities. SO NYAH!
Southern Nevada
Southern Nevada is mostly devoid of civilization, with the major exception being the Clark County area, home to Las Vegas... and also Nellis Air Force Base. Nellis AFB is home to the USAF Air Warfare Center, and as such, a major training center for both U.S. and foreign aircrews. With it's varied roles, Nellis is home to more squadrons than any other Air Force base. It was a huge target. Nellis itself is pretty much glass. It's surrounding areas are also fairly glassed, or flattened rubble. 7 nautical miles away, lies the greater cities of North Las Vegas, and Las Vegas. It's all a mix of rubble and empty buildings. Miraculously, the renowned Stratosphere still stands. Stained with blast marks and slightly listing away from the blast. It seems to be a symbol of defiance for anyone left in the area.
Apparently they didn't think to hit the Strip itself, thinking that glassing Nellis AFB would be enough. It pretty much has. Anyone left alive, is likely raiding the food stores of the various casinos and hotels, or hiding out in public areas. Surviving national guard troops, mixed with men from many of the local security companies have fortified any large public structures.
However, being in the middle of a Desert, the basin would soon become uninhabitable. Any survivors would probably be best to pack up and head towards L.A. or if they really wanted to feel lucky, head north for Carson or Reno/Sparks, as either of them would probably end up better seats of power in the Free State of Nevada.
All Above ground water sources would be contaminated. Specifically Lake Mead. All ruined. And since Lake Mead is the main water source for Clark County(well, ONLY) the entire area wouldn't last very long. If you're here, and survive, Your best bet is to either Wait and die, or head towards L.A.
For whatever reason, the Hoover Damn was not targeted and remains functioning. As such, power is still available in the area.
Also, somehow, Talk Radio personality Art Bell, of Coast to Coast AM has survived. His sporadic radio transmissions warn survivors to abandon the area due to the contamination of Lake Mead. His later transmissions seem to suggest that he is slowly dying and sound more frantic and frightened.
tl;dr, If you were in Clark County on vacation, or live there, You're in a desert with contaminated water and food with nothing around for miles and miles around. You're pretty much screwed.
Other Stories
A Dream turned to Nightmare
Las Vegas, Nevada.
Well... Vegas is gone. I was out of town, up north in Reno. We've been hit by Fallout all over the state. Whatever they used on Edwards and Nellis was big and nasty. A guy I know in Reno is an Amateur pilot and we decided ot give it a look. From overhead... It's a Nightmare. Whatever Nellis was, is gone. Everything around it is gone. I can't find anything that resembles the Speedway. Everything within a couple miles of Nellis AFB is flattened rubble. Anything else in Las Vegas is dead or dying. Downtown and the Strip are ghost towns. The Stratosphere still stands defiantly, still the landmark it ever was, just dead as everything else. Black blastmarks mar the North and east sides of the structure. It looks like it's leaning ever so slightly. All things considered, anyone left alive is probably hiding out in a congregation within the Convention Centers... Most likely the Sands, or LVCC. My old apartment is very likely irradiated. I had to leave my dog with a Neighbor and I hope to God she's dead and inedible. Not even I could bring myself to eat my baby. I'd brought a ham radio with me, and it still sorta works. Surprised it didn't get knocked out during the attack. Not picking up any signals... My pilot says we'd better get back to Reno before we soak too much radiation and run out of fuel. Surprised we had enough to get this far, but apparent the plane's owner was here in Vegas, so I doubt he'll care if we happened to borrow it.
Enter Clark County at your own risk. It'll all be desert again soon enough.
-Anon