Millstone Preparedness

It is important to know which types of disasters could affect your area. Your Emergency Plan will contain emergency contacts, medical information, your emergency planning zone (EPZ), evacuation and sheltering information, and more.

Your Emergency Kit should have supplies to last at least three days for each family member. Keep it in an easy-to-carry bag, such as a backpack, duffel bag, or suitcase.

Kit items to include:

• First aid kit (including list of allergies, extra contact lenses, glasses)
• Non-perishable foods and a can opener
• Matches/lighters
• Water (1 gallon per person per day)
• Medications
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Photo ID
• Local map
• Potassium iodide (KI)
• Important documents, cash, credit cards, and checkbook
• Clothing and blankets
• Phone and phone chargers
• Tools
• Items for individuals with critical needs (e.g., special medical equipment)
• Personal items
• Infant/children supplies (e.g., diapers, milk/formula)
• Pet supplies

Persons with critical needs who may need help in an evacuation - Complete and return the Functional Needs and Assistance Survey Card. This survey card is mailed to you every year.

Residents must complete and mail, at no cost, the survey card every year. Only include information that will prevent you from self-evacuating your home. Survey information is given to your city or town's emergency management official to ensure information is up-to-date and, if needed, provide assistance in an emergency or evacuation. You may also contact your locality to learn what options are available. Locality and state contact information is provided under More Information below.

Stay Up-to-Date and Listen for Emergency Alerts and Notifications

Local Emergency Alert System (EAS) radio and TV stations will have information and provide actions to take to keep you safe in the unlikely emergency event at Millstone Power Station. The public will also be alerted and notified of an emergency via sirens, EAS broadcast on local radio and television, and CT Alert (if subscribed).

In an emergency, sirens will be activated to a steady tone for three minutes (that may be repeated). These sirens are maintained and routinely tested throughout the year by Millstone Power Station. When you hear the siren, tune in to local radio and/or TV station for emergency information and instructions.

Hearing sirens is NOT an immediate signal to evacuate. It means tune in to local radio or television station and listen for information and instructions on what to do.

CT Alert is the State of Connecticut’s emergency notification system to alert residents anywhere in the state about life-threatening emergency conditions. By signing up for CT Alerts and keeping your contact information up-to-date, you will receive alerts and other essential information quickly in an emergency.

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

Emergency Alert System Radio / TV Stations

Additional Emergency Communications Information

United States Coast Guard (USCG): Will broadcast waterway advisories for the emergency planning zone via very high frequency (VHF) marine radio. For waterway questions, contact USCG Sector Long Island at 203-468-4401 or via VHF radio channel 16.

Connecticut Network (CT-N): In an emergency, CT-N will provide emergency information directly from the State Emergency Operations Center.

CT 2-1-1: In an emergency, CT 2-1-1 will serve as the state information hotline. Dial 2-1-1 from anywhere in Connecticut 24 hours a day. Multilingual specialists are also available. If you are outside of Connecticut or have a problem using the 2-1-1-number or dial 800-203-1234.

What Do I Need to Know?

• Know how you will be alerted an emergency and what to do next – hearing a siren and/or receiving a CTAlert alerting you to tune in to local radio/TV station for instructions.
• Review your child’s emergency school plan on how you will be notified of your child’s status in an emergency each school year.
• Learn how to stay informed before, during and after an emergency at CT Stay Informed.

Communities located within the 10-mile area of Millstone Power Station are included in the 10-mile emergency planning zone (EPZ). Following a General Emergency, people in parts of the 10-mile EPZ may be directed to take protective actions such as sheltering-in-place, evacuation, take potassium iodide (KI) if recommended, or monitor and prepare.

Below are the 10 communities within the 10-mile area of Millstone Power Station:

• Ledyard (in blue) – Consists of areas south of Hurlbutt Rd., Whalehead Rd., and Sandy Hollow Rd. to Route 117
• The Lymes (in purple) – Consists of all of East Lyme, Old Lyme, and areas of Lyme east of Route 156 and south of Beaver Brook Rd.
• Montville (in yellow)  – Consists of areas south of Grassy  Hill Rd., Chesterfield Rd., and Route 163, between Glendale Rd. and Chapel Hill Rd.
• New London (in orange) – Encompasses all of New London.
• The Grotons (in green) - Encompasses all of Groton Town and Groton City.
• Waterford (in yellow) – Encompasses all of Waterford.
• Fishers Island (in orange) – Encompasses all of Fishers Island.

Listen carefully to instructions specific to your area. If told to evacuate, you may be instructed to report to a Host Community Reception Center (or simply known as Reception Center). Each community is designated to evacuate to a Reception Center in one of five Host Communities (New Haven, West Hartford, Mansfield/UCONN/Storrs, Willimantic/Windham and Norwich). Officials may have important information about evacuation routes or may re-direct your town to an alternative Host Community.

Reception Centers offer contamination monitoring and, if needed, assist in decontamination of people, pets, and vehicles. Other services include reuniting family members, crisis counseling, basic emergency medical services, potassium iodide (KI) tablets if you have not yet obtained your KI, and American Red Cross services (e.g., connection to shelters).

Unless told otherwise, use the primary evacuation route below to get to your assigned Reception Center, or view the evacuation route information in the Millstone Power Station EPZ Evacuation Zones Map.

If an evacuation is ordered, listen closely to emergency officials to see if your area of town should evacuate and for instructions about reporting to an evacuation reception center. Each community is designated to evacuate to a reception center in one of five Host Communities (New Haven, West Hartford, Mansfield/UCONN/Storrs, Willimantic/Windham and Norwich). Officials may have important information about evacuation routes or may re-direct your town to an alternative Host Community.

Identify your assigned Reception Center and primary evacuation route.

What Do I Need to Know?

• Determine if your town/city is located in the 10-mile MPS emergency planning zone (EPZ).
• If told to evacuate, know and listen for instructions on reporting to your assigned Reception Center.

If Your Community (Emergency Planning 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. Know what to do when you hear a siren – tune in to local listen to local radio or TV for information and potential  actions to take to keep you safe.
• Limit telephone use to emergencies only, keep the lines open for official use.
• Check on family and friends who may need assistance.
• Know your children’s school emergency plan. Review emergency school plan(s) and procedure(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 Reception Center. If directed, report to your assigned Reception Center 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.
  
• If on the waterways, you may not be allowed to return to your original point of departure. Follow guidance from the U.S Coast Guard, harbor master, and local emergency management officials. You may be directed to another port and transported to a Reception Center.
  
• 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 CT 2-1-1 and/or visit the CT REP Education and Public Information website.

If Your Community (Emergency Planning 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.
• 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 informed 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.
• For questions during an emergency and for more information, contact CT 2-1-1 and/or visit theCT REP Education and Public Information website.

If you must go outside, cover your mouth and nose with a cloth (e.g., folded handkerchief or towel) to help prevent breathing in radioactive particles. Move quickly and limit outdoor time to as little as possible. Remove the outer layer of your clothing when you return inside and place in a plastic bag. Wash all exposed body parts with lots of soap and lukewarm water to remove potentially radioactive particles from your body. These steps will help reduce exposure to harmful radioactive material. For more tips and guidance on self-decontamination, visit CDC’s How to Self-Decontaminate after a Radiation Emergency.

Take Potassium Iodide (KI) If Recommended

Not every radiological emergency will result in the release 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 radiation.

Those living and/or working within the 10-mile area of Millstone Power Station can get their KI at the locations listed below (EXCEPT during emergencies). No appointment necessary. Hours of operation can be found on the location’s website or calling the contact number. During an emergency, KI will be available at your designated Reception Center.

If KI is recommended, it is important to follow exact amount directed for your age group. Especially in young children and infants, giving too much KI can cause more harmful effects and health issues. Go to Connecticut’s Potassium Iodide Fact Sheet to see how much KI you should take for your age group. Visit Connecticut's Potassium Iodide (KI) Program webpage for more information on KI.

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 in the event that you cannot return to your home.

If you have livestock or agricultural products, download the Radiological Emergency Information for Connecticut’s Agricultural Community brochure, or call 1-800-397-8876 to request a copy. You may also visit the Connecticut Animal Response Team website that contains a wealth of resources for preparing and responding to animal needs in disasters.

Download the U.S Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Livestock Preparedness Fact Sheet for additional guidance on protecting livestock in emergencies.

Planning Beyond 10 Miles of Millstone Power Station

If an accident were to occur at Millstone Power Station, the area within 50 miles of the station would be assessed to determine if there has been any impact on the environment. If there has been any impact, the public in the affected area would be notified. If any actions are necessary, the public would be informed of the actions to be taken. The Connecticut Radiological Emergency Plan (CT-REP) has procedures in place for emergencies that extend beyond 10 miles from Millstone Power Station. This includes assessing food and drinking water for contamination and determining the need for additional public protective actions.

What Do I Need to Know?

• Know what to do if told to evacuate or shelter-in-place in an emergency.
• Know where to get potassium iodide (or KI) beforehand and during an emergency.
• If directed to take KI, take exact amount directed for your age group. Do NOT take KI unless directed. Do NOT give KI to pets.
• Have a plan for protecting livestock and/or agricultural products.

Nuclear power plants are designed, engineered, and operated to adhere to stringent safety and security regulations and practices. Multiple layers of safety systems and structures protect the plant and community from an emergency:

• Reactor safety systems with separate, redundant backup systems to provide reliable protection
• Reinforced concrete and steel designed containment buildings to withstand tremendous forces (e.g., hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and external explosions) 
• Regularly exercised and comprehensive emergency plans and procedures
• Highly skilled, experienced, and continuously trained plant employees
• Highly secured, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Comprehensive security plans managed by an on-site security force
• Advanced physical security and monitoring systems

There are three fission product barriers (also referred to as protective barriers) that prevent radioactive fission products to release into the environment: (1) fuel cladding, (2) reactor vessel and cooling system, and (3) containment.

Local and State Contact Information

Visit or contact your local/state emergency management or public safety agency for additional emergency preparedness and response information specific to your area.