Could a Nuclear Bomb Alter a Hurricane Headed for Louisiana?

As the sun was rising across the Gulf South this morning, all of us in coastal Louisiana were saying a prayer for neighbors to the east in Florida. Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Big Bend of Florida late in the day on Thursday and we are just now beginning to realize the scope of the devastation. 

Lord knows Lake Charles, Cameron, Holly Beach, Houma, and LaPlace are sharing in the sorrow that our friends in Florida are facing. If you'd like to be a part of the recovery efforts or offer financial aid to those affected by Hurricane Helene, here is how.

As we watched Hurricane, now Tropical Storm Helene develop I was asked, "Why can't we just drop a nuclear bomb on the storm and disrupt its power and development"? Could that even work? A massive explosion just might "take the wind" out of the hurricane's sails, so to speak.

Drop A Bomb in a Hurricane? NOAA Has Considered the Idea

Okay, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration didn't "really consider the idea", they were forced to consider the idea when a candidate for President of the United States suggested it back in 2019.

We know big bombs change the landscape quickly and a massive explosion at sea, away from the coastline could perhaps "alter" the spin and speed of the storm. At least that's the thinking behind the suggestion.

We all know what dry air and Saharan Dust can do to tropical systems. There is also wind shear in the upper levels that can quell the development of tropical systems as well. Based on what they taught me in elementary school back in the 60s and 70s nuclear bombs would appear to do that.

Thank goodness we had our desks to hide under to protect us from the mayhem. Yes, that's sarcasm for those of you who didn't leave the dream during the Cold War.

NOAA Has A Specific Reason To Not Drop Nukes on Hurricanes

That specific reason is, it won't work. Besides the fact that the explosive force of the incendiary device would be no match for the huge storms, there is another serious side effect that needs to be considered.

A nuclear warhead creates fallout. Back in my days of hiding from nuclear bombs under my desk at school, I learned that fallout is radioactive debris created by a nuclear blast. It's usually made up of soil and other particles and is the deadliest aspect of a nuclear bomb.

Remember what happened at Chernobyl in Russia? Think of that on a much grander scale. Of course, that nuclear incident was caused by a reactor failure.

The scientists at NOAA theorize that since the explosion wouldn't alter the development of the hurricane the blast would simply create a whirling mass of radioactive water, clouds, and whatever else got sucked up out of the ocean. The hurricane would then transfer the deadly fallout all along its destructive path.

That could mean that communities hundreds or thousands of miles away from the storm's initial landfall could be subjected to radioactive rain and winds that could alter the lives of millions. So, no, a nuclear explosion wouldn't be a good way to hamper a hurricane.

Maybe we should all focus on creating more dust. At least we know it works and won't mutate the gene pool for generations to come.  Seriously, though, please pray for Florida, and may those prayers move you to action to bring aid to those who are hurting.