Frequently asked questions
What is an emergency and how does it affect you?
Many things could cause an emergency at a nuclear power plant. State and local officials will be told about any emergency that could cause the nuclear plant to become unsafe. There are four classes of emergencies at nuclear power plants:
Notification of unusual event: This is the least serious emergency class. It means that something out of the ordinary has happened. People living in the area should not have to take any action.
Alert: This class means plant safety could become a problem. State and local officials will go to their emergency centers to follow the situation. The public should not have to take any action.
Site area emergency: This class means the public might be affected. You might hear the Emergency Siren Warning System. Tune into your local radio station for information. State and local officials will take action to protect those living in the area.
General emergency: This is the most serious emergency class. State and local officials will take action to protect people in the area. Stay tuned to your local radio station for instructions.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency have learned that you most likely will not have to do anything in the event of an emergency. If you live as close as 10 miles from a nuclear plant, though, you should be prepared.
Click below for maps of the Protective Action Section (PAS) or Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) near these plants:
• Arkansas Nuclear One
• Grand Gulf
• River Bend
• Waterford 3
Depending on where you live or work, an emergency may or may not affect you. An accident could affect some parts of the EPZ map and not others. That will depend on where the wind is coming from, how strong it is, and how severe the accident is.
The EPZ maps are divided into sections. In an emergency, radio and TV stations will tell you which sections may be affected. Click the section of the map where you live. Write that number down to make it easy to find later if you need it.
How will you be told about an emergency?
Outdoor sirens will be turned on if there is an emergency in your county or parish. These sirens have been put in the best places for you to hear them. Firemen and deputies may drive through the area to warn you, too. If you are in a marsh or swamp, you will be warned by state or parish officials. If you are in a boat on the water, the sirens on shore will warn you. The U.S. Coast Guard may also warn you.
REMEMBER, hearing a siren or tone alert does NOT mean evacuate. It simply means TURN ON YOUR RADIO and listen for instructions. The radio stations listed on the below pages or on your NOAA weather radio will give the most up-to-date information on what to do. Do not listen to rumors.
Click below for TV and radio stations where you can listen for official information about one of these plants:
• Arkansas Nuclear One
• Grand Gulf
• River Bend
• Waterford 3
Should you use the phone to call for more information or to check in with family?
If there is an emergency, the phone lines will be needed for official business. Do not use your phone unless you or someone you know is injured or too sick to help themselves. If you must use the phone, keep your call very short. The information on this website and your radio and TV will tell you what actions you might need to take.
What are the actions you might need to take?
The three actions you might be asked to take are called protect your breathing, shelter in place and evacuate. Keep reading below to learn more about these actions.
What if you are told to protect your breathing?
• Cover your nose and mouth with a mask, handkerchief or other cloth.
• Close the windows and doors if you are in a building or a car.
• Turn vent or A/C to “recirc” or “max” if you are in a car.
• At home or in a building, set heating or cooling systems to “recirc” or “vent closed,” if available. If not, turn off heating or cooling systems.
• Turn off window and attic fans in buildings.
What if you are told to shelter in place?
This means you should protect yourself inside your house or other building. This is a good action to take if there is a short release or small amount of radiation in the air. If your children are in school, they will be protected by school officials.
Take these steps to protect yourself.
• Go inside. When inside, stay there until your radio or TV says you can leave safely. This is most likely to be after a few hours, rather than a day or more.
• Close all doors and windows.
• Turn off window and attic fans.
• Set heating or cooling systems to “recirc” or “vent closed,” if available. If not, turn off heating or cooling systems.
• Keep your pets inside.
• Listen to the appropriate radio or TV stations for official information and further instructions.
• Listen to a tone alert radio or NOAA weather radio for further instructions.
What if you are told to stay indoors?
Staying indoors is similar to sheltering. However, there are some important differences. Because midsummer heat can often climb above 100 degrees, closing off your home without air conditioning could present a health hazard. Therefore, if you are asked to stay indoors do so with your air conditioning or heat running. The filters in your home’s heat and air system will to filter some of the radioactive particulates that might be in the air after a release at a nuclear plant in your area. The Department of Health believes this is a logical and safe alternative to sheltering during weather extremes such as heat or snow and ice.
What if you are told to monitor and prepare?
• Make sure family members are together.
• Listen to radio and TV.
• Prepare for the possibility of evacuation or sheltering in place.
• Keep off the road.
• Review the evacuation steps below to get ready to leave your home and find your reception center.
What if you are told to evacuate?
This means that you should move to a place more than 10 miles from the plant. Plans have been made to give you shelter at special reception centers if you need it.
Be sure all members of your family know where to meet in an emergency. That way you will not have to call them on the phone at that time.
1. Stay as calm as you can. If you already know where to go and what to take with you, that will help. You will have time to do what you need to do. Remember that nuclear plants do NOT explode.
2. Gather what you and your family will need. You will probably have to be away from home for a few days. Take these things along if you can.
- Extra clothing
- Eyeglasses, dentures, prescription drugs, other important medicines and a first-aid kit
- Personal identification cards and health insurance cards
- Baby supplies
- Portable radio and flashlight (if you have them)
- Checkbook and credit cards
- Cell phone and chargers
- Blankets, pillows, towels
- Toiletries
- Flashlight and batteries
3. Remember to do the following as you leave.
- Turn off the lights, faucets and all household appliances.
- Leave your refrigerator and freezer on.
- Lock your doors.
- Close all blinds and curtains.
- Place a sign on the front of your home so officials will know you have been notified and have evacuated. Click here to download a sample sign. If you do not have a printer, please write a similar sign and place it on your front door. You can also tie a white cloth on or near the front door to show that you have left.
- As you leave the area, tell a neighbor about the evacuation. They may not know about the emergency.
- Use only one car (or other vehicle) for your family. If you have room, please check to see if any of your neighbors need a ride to a reception center.
- Follow the evacuation route for your Protective Action Section (PAS) or Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ). Keep your car windows and air vents closed. Listen to the radio for reports about your route and other information.
- Drive safely; traffic will be heavy. Deputies along your route will help with the traffic.
- Place a note on your car dashboard so you can be identified as an evacuee by emergency workers. Click here to download a sample sign. If you do not have a printer to print the sample sign, please write a similar sign and place it on your car dashboard.
4. Do not worry about your property while you are away.
- Law officers will protect it.
- National Guard troops will be called if they need help.
- Roadblocks will keep people out of the area you have left.
5. Ask about these kinds of information when you get to your Reception Center.
- How to register
- Where members of your family are, if they are not with you
- How to get other housing if you need it
- How to get medical or other special help
- How to get checked for radiation
- When might it be safe to go back home. (You may need to stay at the center for a few days.)
School evacuations
Because evacuation of school-age children is of the utmost importance, schools will be notified of an emergency before the public. If school is in session, students will be taken to a specific reception center, where children will be cared for until their parent/legal guardian arrives. Once children are registered at the reception center, they may leave with a parent or guardian. If it is necessary, students will be monitored for radioactive contamination. All reception centers are located at schools.
Click below for school evacuation reception centers near:
• Arkansas Nuclear One
• Grand Gulf
• River Bend
• Waterford 3
What should I do in advance to prepare for an emergency?
If an accident occurs at one of Entergy’s nuclear plants, experts at that plant will help your state, county and/or parish agencies decide how serious it is. You will be told what actions to take, based on the plans described here. Be sure you understand them. If you have any questions while reading the information provided in this website, ask one of these offices for help now. That way you will be prepared before an emergency can come up. It is best to find answers to your questions now, not later.
View below for contact information regarding:
Other ways you can prepare for an emergency situation include:
- On the nuclear plant Protective Action Section or Emergency Planning Zone map (see “What is an emergency and how does it affect you?”), determine which reception center you should go to and what route to take.
- Be sure your family members know what they are supposed to do in an emergency. Your family may not be together when an emergency occurs, so it is important to have a family plan. Your plan should include how you will contact each other if you are separated during an emergency. For example, have each family member contact other family members who live outside the Emergency Planning Zone. Everyone must know the name, address and phone number of the contact. You may have trouble getting through, so be patient.
- Some children must spend time by themselves at home. Their parents must work or tend to other duties. Talk to your children about what to do in the event of an incident at the nuclear station. Then, if you are away, your children will know what to do until you return.
- Have two predetermined locations outside the PAS/EPZ where your family can reunite, if separated.
- Fill out a special needs form if you or someone you know would need transportation, a wheelchair or other special help during an emergency. That way you can be sure to get the help needed. Call your local civil defense/emergency preparedness office for more resources for disabled people.
View below for special needs forms for people who live or work near:
For additional planning information, you may refer to www.ready.gov.
Pets
If you need to evacuate due to a radiological emergency at a nuclear power plant, you can bring certain domesticated pets and service animals to the designated reception center. These animals include dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, rodents, and turtles traditionally kept in the home for pleasure and can travel in commercial carriers and can be housed in temporary facilities.
Service animals are defined as dogs or miniature horses individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Any other type of animal that is not listed above will not be allowed at the reception center or shelters.
In order for a pet to gain access into an emergency shelter, the owner will need to ensure the following: proof of vaccination, three (3)-day supply of food and water for each pet, leash and collar for each pet, medication, litter box, crate or carrier large enough for your pet to stand up and turn around in, and comfort items.
If you chose to leave your pets at home, place them inside of your home or in an enclosed garage with a supply of protected food and water that will last for an extended period of time.
Information for farmers and gardeners
Radioactive material might be released from the nuclear plant to the environment during a serious accident. It could fall onto soil, grass or surface water, and then be taken into the food chain by plants and animals.
To protect dairy animals, give them uncontaminated water and feed. Move dairy animals off pastures and into dry feed lots.
Safe water will be the most important need for animals – even more important than feed. Since you may be away from the livestock for at least 48 hours, provide a 48-hour emergency water supply in livestock shelter areas.
Protect other water supplies from contamination. Cover stock tanks with plastic sheeting or canvas. Water in an open pond would be contaminated and should not be used until shown to be safe. Feed stored in sheds or silos or under a canvas or plastic cover should be used instead of letting animals graze. Feed stored outside, such as hay, that cannot be covered in time can still be used if outer layers are removed.
Suspected contamination would mean that produce must be checked before consumed. In most cases, garden foods may be cleaned by a thorough washing with water. Roots and tubers are not affected by surface contamination.