By now you’re probably seen the Post’s cover story today on preparations in the region for a potential nuclear attack. The Post concludes

Two closely held government reports obtained by The Washington Post — one by the White House’s Homeland Security Council, the other by the Energy Department — describe in chilling detail the effects of a nuclear detonation, using the scenario of a strike on Washington. They make clear the need for split-second execution by top officials of the Department of Homeland Security if downwind communities dozens of miles away are to be saved — a level of performance that some experts say is well beyond officials’ ability now.

While the allegations certainly sound troubling, the graphics are what caught our eye. Although the good people at the Post had the wisdom to point out information on Ready.gov that suggests the public could escape a nuclear blast by going around the block or into a building is a bit ridiculous, they published this map of a potential nuclear attack on D.C. that seems to give the impression that somewhere north of downtown is a line beyond which the city would be untouched – apparently Columbia Heights and much of Northwest D.C. would be safe.

The Ready.gov illustrations have been the target of an endless supply of online and email gags, including this guide to inaugural security put together in January by our own Jason Linkins.