The Norfolk–Virginia Beach region ranks first among these hypothetical World War 3 danger zones because of its enormous importance to the U.S. military. The Hampton Roads area contains a major concentration of American naval and defense infrastructure. Its location on the Atlantic also makes it important for operations connecting North America and Europe.
In a major conflict involving NATO, the Atlantic, or the U.S. military, the wider region could play an important strategic role. A large civilian population also lives nearby, meaning serious disruption could affect far more than military operations.