Following the U.S. attacks on nuclear facilities in Iran and the threat of retaliation, many Americans – including the Hispanic community – are wondering how prepared the different states in the country are for possible cyber attacks or even more serious weapons attacks, such as a dirty or nuclear bomb. This issue becomes even more relevant after the recent missile attack that Iran launched against the U.S. base of Al Udeid in Qatar on Monday night, June 24. This is the first direct retaliation following the U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities. The Al Udeid base is a strategic hub housing thousands of U.S. troops, which has further raised the alert throughout the country for the possibility of further attacks or cyber attacks on U.S. soil.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA) regularly publish analyses of the level of risk in each of the states, based on factors such as:
Critical infrastructure (power grids, hospitals, drinking water)
Size of population and urban centers
Military or economic importance
Preparedness of emergency response systems
Cyber threats detected in the last year
Cyber attack
According to the latest DHS Cybersecurity Reports (2025), the states most vulnerable to cyber attack are:
California – It is one of the states with the highest number of cyber attacks detected due to its high volume of technology infrastructure and key company headquarters.
New York – High risk due to financial concentration and communications infrastructure.
Texas – Vulnerable due to the number of refineries, pipelines and military bases.
Florida – Increasing threats to transportation systems and ports.
Illinois – Chicago as a crucial logistics and transportation hub.
This is the first direct retaliation
Possible nuclear attack or dirty bomb
Buzzy
According to FEMA, in a nuclear or radiological dispersal device (dirty bomb) attack scenario, the states with the most exposed cities are:
Washington, D.C. / Maryland / Virginia – Capital of the country, with high symbolic and strategic value.
New York – Because of the size of the city and its global economic importance.
California (Los Angeles and San Francisco) – Large population and economic centers.
Illinois (Chicago) – Key node in the national transportation network.
Texas (Houston, Dallas) – Energy, military and commercial importance.
What does this mean for Hispanics?
Hispanics represent a significant share of the population in these states – for example, almost 40 % in California and Texas, and close to 30 % in New York.
Therefore, experts recommend:
Keep informed through official sources (DHS, FEMA, Ready.gov).
Have an updated emergency kit.
Know the local evacuation plans.
Do not fall for rumors and false news on networks.
The situation is tense, but the best protection is to be informed and prepared.
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com.
