The last time most of the U.S. thought about hydrogen bombs or missiles targeting cities was in the 1960s. But after an accidental inbound missile warning was sent to Hawaiian residents Saturday, many wonder what they should do if these types of attacks — or the threat of attack — becomes relevant again.
Clark County doesn’t have many recommendations and certainly nothing specific to a missile attack.
“We pretty much try to talk about an all-hazards approach,” said Eric Frank, emergency management coordinator for Clark County.
Frank said emergency response planners focus more on natural and human-caused hazards, not deliberate nuclear attack.
“It hasn’t been heightened enough in our region to be concerned that’s an actual hazard,” he said. “We really do not have any current planning for that.”
A list of nuclear fallout shelters also isn’t readily available. Frank said there likely are several former fallout shelters around, but they are probably used for storage rather than kept stocked with survival supplies.
In 1963, Clark County had 36 designated public fallout shelters capable of holding about 8,000 people, according to Columbian archives. (The county’s population then was just slightly more than 100,000.)
The third and fourth floors of the Clark County Courthouse, for example, could safely house 1,450 seeking shelter. The Washington State School for the Blind administration building’s basement could accommodate 475 and the Vancouver post office on Daniels Street had room for 135. Even The Columbian’s building had a shelter capable of holding 70.
A few large-scale shelters still exist, such as the 65,000-square-foot structure built by the U.S. Army in the desert near Bend, Ore., reportedly to house government officials in case of a nuclear attack. The shelter was built in 1985. The U.S. Department of Defense reportedly still insists the shelter is actually just to test night-vision equipment.
Preparing for attack
Pamphlets from 1955 and 1956 outlined what residents of Clark County should do in case of “the H-Bomb.”
Here’s a few suggestions and warnings pulled from those guides:
• When you hear the evacuation signal, a three-minute “wailing sound,” immediately seek the best shelter available and “stay put for at least 36 hours or until you get word to come out.”
• Officials warned the best defense against H-bombs were distance and shelter, but made it clear it’s your decision to evacuate or take shelter. “Survival depends mainly on individual judgment and action.”
• Plan to take your own car in case of evacuation. Make sure to keep the fuel tank filled at all times. If you’re one of the many without a vehicle, make a plan to carpool with someone. If this fails, start walking away from the city center. “Persons walking toward or along evacuation routes should be picked up. Fill all cars with passengers,” a pamphlet instructs.
• Residents living near the city center are the most at risk. Those living in the rest of Clark County should have their own home shelters.
“Remember — it is your duty to yourself, your family and your country to save your own life. MAKE YOUR PLANS NOW.”
