Are you prepared for a nuclear emergency in Charlotte? Here’s how to survive
Sirens at Duke Energy’s McGuire Nuclear Station Thursday briefly had some nearby residents wondering if there was an emergency at the plant.
The sirens sounded at full volume at the Huntersville plant around 10 a.m. during what was supposed to be a silent test, The Charlotte Observer reported. There was no emergency at the plant, Duke Energy officials confirmed.
“Definitely had us worried there for a minute,” James Lamb, a Denver resident, told the Observer.
McGuire is one of two nuclear power plants in the Charlotte area, with the other being Catawba Nuclear Station in York County, South Carolina.
When the sirens at a nuclear plant sound, it doesn’t always mean there’s a test. Would you know what to do if disaster struck?
Here’s what you need to know to keep you and your family safe during a nuclear emergency.
Listen to the radio for updates
If there is an emergency at a nuclear power plant, state and county officials will provide information to the public via radio and television, according to Duke Energy.
If you live near McGuire, you can tune into FM 107.9 (Charlotte) or FM 106.5 (Salisbury) for emergency alert announcements.
If you live near Catawba in North Carolina, you can tune into FM 103.7 (Charlotte) or FM 107.9 (Charlotte) for emergency alerts. Those in South Carolina can listen to FM 100.1 (Rock Hill) or FM 107.1 (York County).
During an emergency, you might be told to go inside, shelter in place or evacuate, according to Duke Energy.
Know your ‘emergency planning zone’
People who live within 10 miles of a nuclear plant may be required to evacuate during an emergency.
If you live near McGuire, you can find your emergency planning zone on the Duke Energy website. Those who live near Catawba can find their emergency planning zones on a separate page of the website.
Just enter your address or zip code on the map near the bottom of the webpage to find your zone.
Each zone includes instructions for what to do in the event of an emergency, and designated evacuation shelters for the public and schools, according to Duke Energy.
You may be asked to take potassium tablets
Officials may direct you to take potassium iodide during an emergency, according to Duke Energy.
Potassium iodide is a nonprescription drug that can prevent your thyroid gland from absorbing radioactive iodine and reduce the risk of thyroid cancer, according to the Mecklenburg County Health Department.
If you live within 10 miles of McGuire or Catawba, visit the Mecklenburg County Health Department website for a full list of places to pick up potassium iodide in Mecklenburg, Catawba, Gaston, Iredell and Lincoln counties.
South Carolina residents can contact the S.C Department of Health and Environmental Control for more information on how to obtain potassium iodide at 800-476-9677.
Keep supplies in stock
If you have to evacuate, these items can be good to take with you to a shelter, according to Duke Energy:
Two changes of clothing
Two blankets or a sleeping bag for each person
Important personal papers
Toiletries like soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste
Personal medications
Baby formula and diapers
A battery-operated radio, flashlight and batteries
Some form of ID that shows your address
Schools near plants have evacuation plans
Schools around McGuire and Catawba have emergency plans for students, according to Duke Energy.
During evacuations, children are relocated to designated pick-up facilities for their schools, Duke Energy says, adding that parents should not try to pick up their children from school.
To find the designated pick-up facility for your child’s school, visit the Duke Energy Safety and Preparedness website.
