Critical Risk 🏭 Food Processing Facility  ·  North Carolina

Smithfield Foods Tar Heel NC

CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE RISK PROFILE  ·  NORTH CAROLINA

7 / 10
Risk Score
Facility Type
🏭 Food Processing Facility
Primary Risk Radius
10
mile zone
Secondary Risk Radius
30
mile zone

// Risk Intelligence

Risk Score7 / 10   Critical
Facility Type🏭 Food Processing Facility
Operator / BranchSmithfield Foods / WH Group
Host CountyBladen County NC
Nearest CityWashington DC
Primary Risk Radius10 miles
Secondary Risk Radius30 miles

// Strategic Significance

The Smithfield Foods plant in Tar Heel North Carolina is the largest pork processing facility in the world processing up to 32,000 hogs per day. It employs 5,000 workers and produces approximately 6 percent of all US pork. The facility uses large quantities of liquid ammonia for refrigeration creating serious chemical release risk. Hurricane flooding from Atlantic storms has threatened the plant and its massive hog waste lagoons.

// Civilian Impact Assessment

Bladen County with 33,000 residents. The plant is by far the largest employer in the county. Ammonia refrigeration creates serious chemical release risk. The hog waste lagoons create catastrophic flooding risk during major hurricanes.

// Evacuation & Shelter Guidance

US-87, NC Route 87. Bladen County Emergency Management coordinates ammonia and industrial protocols.

// Counties Within Risk Zone