So, what if it were true? What if it were true that "terrorists" were set to explode a nuclear device in Houston on December 27?

Okay, so the "gossip" is politically suspect, but it's deliciously appealing, in a morbid sort of a way.

A bomb "several times that of Nagasaki" would be on the order of .20 megatons. Obviously, if it's a trunk bomb, it will be surface detonated.

The highest pressure zone would be within one half mile of detonation - nothing
would be left standing, and 90% casualties. If the weapon were detonated in the CBD on the 27th (a work day) nearly a million people would die.

Within the one-half mile to 1.25 mile circle, very little would be left standing, and 50% dead, 40% injured with very short life cycles.

Between 1.25 and 3 miles, severe damage to wood frame structures. 5% fatalities
and 40% injured.

Between 3 and 5 miles out, some damage. Commercial structures largely
untouched.

So, basically, if the blast occurred in the CBD, all of Houston's historical "wards" would be wiped out, as would Midtown, Montrose, UofH (both of them,) and the Heights. The areas of River Oaks, Southampton, Rice Military would be severely damaged and uninhabitable. Most everything inside the loop west of downtown would be too badly damaged, and irradiated to be re-occupied.

The fallout would be severe. If the blast occurred in the CBD, based on
prevailing winds, most of inner Houston out to about Hillcroft would be irreversibly
irradiated.