Stay Informed

Stay Up-to-Date and Listen to Emergency Notifications

Local radio and TV stations will have information and actions to take to keep you safe in the unlikely emergency event at North Anna Power Station. The public also will be alerted and notified of an emergency via the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS). IPAWS is FEMA’s national system for local alerting that provides emergency and life-saving information to the public.

In an emergency, an emergency alert will be sent to your emergency alert-enabled mobile device. At no charge. When you receive an alert on your phone, tune in to local radio or TV station for emergency information and instructions.

Receiving an alert message on your phone does NOT mean you should evacuate. It means turn on your local radio or television station(s) and listen for instructions on what to do.

In order to receive an alert to your phone, you must have a mobile device and be located in the affected area where the alert is being sent. To ensure you receive the alert, go to your mobile phone’s settings, under notifications, scroll to the bottom and confirm all emergency alerts are toggled on. For additional help, visit the Wireless Emergency Alerts tutorial on how to step-by-step enable emergency alert notifications to your phone.

In an emergency parents of school children need to listen to local TV and/or radio station(s) for updates on school status and instructions. Emergency officials will advise schools on what actions to take.  

Follow Emergency Instructions

If Your Protective Action Zone is Told to Evacuate:

• Stay calm - review your emergency plan. You will have time to take necessary action.
• Turn on local radio or TV station(s).
• Grab your emergency kit. Grab all essentials for you, your family, and pet(s). You may be away from home for several days.
• Keep up to date and listen to instructions. Ensure your phone is enabled to receive emergency alerts and listen to local radio or TV for information or protective actions to take.
• Limit telephone use for emergencies only, keep the lines open for emergency officials.
• Check on family and friends who may need assistance.
  
• Know your children’s school emergency plan. Review emergency school plan(s) each school year.
• Lock your home and turn off appliances. Lock doors and windows. Turn off appliances (except refrigerator and freezer).
• Drive safely to your assigned EAC. If directed, go to your assigned EAC for contamination monitoring and other potential protective actions. When driving, close windows, vents, and turn off air conditioner and heater. 
• If registered as an individual needing evacuation assistance, wait for instructions from your locality.
• Return home when directed. When the emergency has ended, emergency officials will provide instructions for returning home.
• Questions during an emergency and more information, contact Virginia 2-1-1 and/or visit the VDEM website. 

If Your Protective Action Zone is Told to Shelter-in-Place:

• Stay calm – stay inside. Stay in the middle of the building, as much as possible, and close all windows and doors. Prepare to stay inside for at least three days.   
• If driving, close windows and vents and turn off air conditioner and heater.
• Bring pets and livestock inside. Plan for at least three days.
• Close all windows and doors, and turn off all devices that draw outside air, if possible. You can use fans or heating devices inside the home to keep warm or cool.
• Close chimney flues when possible.  
• Keep up to date and listen to instructions. Continue to monitor local radio or TV and follow instructions. Do not evacuate unless directed.
• Limit telephone use to emergencies only, keep the lines open for official use.
  
• Questions during an emergency and for more information, contact Virginia 2-1-1 or check the VDEM website.  
  
   

Take Potassium Iodide (KI), If Recommended

Not every radiological emergency will result in the release of radiation. Potassium iodide (or KI) is a form of iodine. KI may be recommended as an additional protective action to help protect your thyroid gland in the chance of exposure to a harmful amount of radioactive iodine. KI tablets will be provided by emergency officials and handed out at your assigned EAC.

For more information on potassium iodide, visit the Virginia Department of Health’s Potassium Iodide webpage.

Protect Your Livestock and Agriculture

Livestock and poultry owners are responsible for the care and wellbeing of their animals. Livestock and poultry owners, farmers, and producers should develop and maintain an emergency plan specific to their needs to use in the case of an evacuation.

Nuclear plant emergencies may impact livestock, food, and agricultural products. Protective actions for livestock and agricultural products will be issued by appropriate state and local officials. These actions may include:

• If possible, shelter farm animals and provide stored (covered) feed and protected water (e.g., protective self-feeders and automatic waterers).
• Store feed in buildings or cover with plastic or canvas if outdoors.
• Cover open wells and water tanks.
• Have a relocation plan for livestock in the event you cannot return to your home.

For more information about disaster planning for livestock and agriculture, contact your local cooperative extension agent or emergency management office and download the U.S Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Livestock Preparedness Fact Sheet.

More Information

Local and State Contact Information

For additional emergency preparedness and response information specific to your area, visit your local emergency management or public safety agency website, or contact your locality directly.

If you are an individual with access and functional needs that requires evacuation assistance in an emergency, complete your locality’s registry form or contact the number provided by your locality to see what services are available:

Additional Resources

• FEMA.gov
• Ready.gov
• Radiation Emergencies | NCEH | CDC
• CDC: Where to go in a Radiation Emergency
• EPA: Radiation Emergencies and Preparedness
• NRC: How Can I Prepare for a Radiological Emergency?