Missouri’s Hidden Nuclear Target Revealed: Mississippi River

If you've lived long enough to remember the Cold War, you no doubt have probably heard of numerous targets in Missouri that would likely be wiped out if a nuclear exchange ever happened. There's a new target that's been mentioned that you may not have thought about, though. Experts are saying that the Mississippi River would be in the crosshairs.

There's a reason why Missouri was the backdrop for the historic movie "The Day After" in 1983 which portrayed a nuclear war between the US and then Soviet Union

With Whiteman Air Force Base, Fort Leonard Wood along with the metro areas of St. Louis and Kansas City, it's no surprise that Missouri would have numerous first strike targets for an enemy. But, just days ago, the Infographics Show shared a study that reveals another Missouri nuke target: the Mississippi River.

Why would the Mississippi River in Missouri be a nuke target?

We sometimes forget how vital the Mississippi River is for transporting goods through the middle of America. St. Louis also is a vital transportation hub and crossroads. Hit St. Louis and the Mississippi early in an attack and you cripple the United States for years.

The belief is that both St. Louis, Missouri and the Mississippi River would likely be hit by numerous nuclear weapons in the first 20 minutes of an attack. The truth is that those who perish in the first strike would be the lucky ones as there would be few safe areas to exist if this worst-case scenario were to play out - just like in the 1983 made-for-TV movie.