I agree that our government is in no way prepared for a nuclear attack. Even a hit on one city would be overwhelming. Imagine the chaos and panic were NYC to be struck- even by a relatively small nuke.
Survivors would attempt to flee- and during rush hour regular workers can barely make it out of town, anyway. All public trans would be destroyed.
There would be very limited medical care, if one could get there. There would be no electric power. The radioactive cloud would spread death and destruction first to city residents and then, depending on the weather patterns, to those in the "suburbs." Water would be toxic. There would be massive fires - conflagrations- and secondary explosions.
I really think the gov. plan would be to ultimately cordon off the area- particularly if bios were included with the nuke attack.
Sorry to be so pessimistic- that's just how I see it.
Just Piper-
Maybe the above is one of the reasons for the leak on the US pre-emptively striking Iran/ NK- if we have even an inkling they are ready to launch- we go first.
They said that exactly, not even knowing what to do with the plume!