What Are The Odds That Hanford Would Be A Nuclear Strike Target?

One of the best experiences I've had while living in the Tri-Cities is taking the Reactor B tour offered by the Department of Energy. The tour is a fascinating trip into the past to learn the importance of the Hanford Nuclear Site during World War II.

Hanford.gov
Hanford.gov
loading...

Does Washington State Have To Worry About A Nuclear Strike?

There are still a lot of misconceptions about the site and the clean-up currently being done outside of Richland Washington. Some still believe the site has functioning nuclear reactors hence all the security but that is a myth propagated like Area 51 in New Mexico.

Radioactive Waste Cleanup Continues At Hanford Nuclear Reservation
Getty Images
loading...
98.3 KEYW logo
Get our free mobile app

Michelle, the host of our tour was fantastic and she answered the questions especially the one on the site's secrecy.

She stated that with today's technology, any nation could easily from orbit peer into Hanford and the work that is getting done.

She said that it was not much of a secret if a rival nation wanted to spy on Hanford because they could easily do it from space.

A nuclear bomb explosion causing shock waves. Mixed media illustration.
solarseven
loading...

We, of course, still think Hanford gives us Area 51 vibes but she said it's mainly clean-up of the nuclear waste left behind and decommissioned nuclear reactors so mundane stuff at best.

I did do a little digging on what are the odds that the Hanford site would be a potential nuclear strike site in case of a war and I was surprised by the information I found.

credit: natural resources defense council
credit: natural resources defense council
loading...

According to a map provided by the Natural Resources Defense Council, If there was a 500-warhead strike from a rival nation, the odds are slim that Hanford would be a target but if there was a 2000-warhead strike, then Hanford could be a potential target.

explosion nuclear bomb in ocean
RomoloTavani
loading...

As you can see, the coast of Washington State is more likely a target but again we hope it never comes to pass. I remember being a kid in the 80s and being terrified after seeing the TV movie "The Day After" and that's all I needed to see to not want any type of nuclear conflict in the world.

10 interesting facts about Washington State's Hanford Nuclear Site

Here are 10 interesting facts about the Hanford site in Washington State.

Gallery Credit: Rik Mikals

The 7 Worst Natural Disasters in the History of Washington State

Washington State is a great place to live but occasionally the state has been struck with some earth-shattering natural disasters. Here are 7 disasters that really wrecked the state.

Gallery Credit: Rik Mikals

More From 98.3 KEYW