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Be Prepared

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Stay Informed

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Know Your PAZ and
Reception Center

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Take Action

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Follow Emergency Instructions

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More Information

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Test Your Knowledge

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Download Safety PDF

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Be Prepared

Develop an Emergency Plan and Kit

It is important to know which types of disasters could affect your area. Your Emergency Plan will have everything from emergency contact information to medical information, the protective action zone you live in, information about evacuation, sheltering-in-place, and more.

Your Emergency Kit should have supplies on hand to last at least three days for each family member, in durable and easy-to-carry bags/containers, such as backpacks, duffel bags, or suitcases.

Start today. Go to Virginia Department of Emergency Management’s (VDEM) website to start developing your Emergency Plan and building your Emergency Kit . Keep both plan and kit in an easy to reference location.

Emergency kit items include:

  • First Aid Kit (including list of allergies, extra contact lenses, glasses)
  • Non-perishable foods/can opener
  • Matches/lighters
  • Water, one gallon per person per day
  • Medications
  • Flashlight / extra batteries
  • Photo ID
  • Local Map
  • Important documents/cash
  • Clothing/blankets
  • Phone and phone chargers
  • Tools
  • Items for individuals with access and functional needs
  • Personal items
  • Infant/children supplies
  • Pet supplies
Build an Emergency Kit Infographic. Customize Your Kit. Pack Enough for 3 days. Refresh twice a year.

Develop a Pet Emergency Plan and Kit

Not all shelters and hotels accept pets. Plan ahead to stay with family, friends, or pet-friendly locations if you need to evacuate your home. If a hotel has a no-pets policy, ask the manager if the hotel can waive the policy during an emergency. Deciding in advance what to do with your pet during an emergency can save its life.

You should never hesitate to evacuate your home in an emergency because you don’t want to leave your pets behind. Start your pet plan and kit today.

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  • Microchip pet
  • Pet carrier
  • Non-spill water and food bowls
  • Pet food and water for at least three days
  • Pet vaccination/medical records
  • Medications
  • Collar with ID tag and leash (include backups)
  • Familiar items/toys/bedding
  • Plastic bags/litter
  • Photograph of your pet
  • Extra newspaper/disinfectant

Go to VDEM’s website, Pet Preparedness: Pet Emergency Kit for additional information and guidance.


Register as an Individual with Access and Functional Needs

If you are an individual with access and functional needs requiring evacuation assistance, contact your locality to learn what options are available.

Locality contact information is provided under More Information below.

Preparing for a Radiological Emergency

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) defines four emergency classifications that could occur at a nuclear power station. Dominion Energy would contact federal, state, and local authorities in each of the following situations:

  • Unusual Event is the least serious level, indicating a potential or minor event at the station. Radioactive release, if any, is minimal and far below Federal guidelines. There is no impact to public and no public action needed. Support from state and local emergency officials is not needed.
  • Alert is a more serious level, indicating an event that may affect station safety. Radioactive release, if any, is minimal and far below Federal guidelines. There is no impact to public and no public action needed. State and local emergency officials will share information with the public as needed.
  • Site Area Emergency is a serious level, indicating an event that may affect or has affected plant safety. Radioactive release, if any, should remain under Federal guidelines. When alerted, you should tune into local radio and television stations for information and instructions. State and local emergency officials may recommend actions for the public to take.
  • General Emergency is the most serious level that involves a serious event that may affect or has affected plant safety. Radioactive release, if any, may exceed Federal guidelines. When alerted, you should tune into local radio and television stations for information and instructions for protective actions. State and local emergency officials will direct actions for the public to take.

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 and on-site security force personnel
  • 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.

  1. Fuel Cladding: The fuel cladding serves as the first and primary fission product barrier. Fuel cladding is the outer layer of the fuel rods, standing between the reactor coolant and the nuclear fuel (i.e., fuel pellets). It prevents corrosion of the fuel.​
  2. Reactor Coolant System: The reactor coolant system acts as the second fission product barrier. Within the large steel reactor vessel, the reactor coolant system includes the pipes and components (e.g., reactor vessel, coolant pumps and piping) that supports the transfer and process of reactor coolant (water) to remove heat from the reactor core.
  3. Containment Building: The containment building acts as the third fission product barrier. The containment is a concrete shield building and steel containment vessel that houses the reactor vessel, steam generators, and piping of the reactor coolant system.
barriers graphic

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Stay Informed

Stay Up-to-Date and Listen to Emergency Notifications

In addition to listening to local radio or TV station for information, the public will be alerted and notified of an emergency at North Anna Power Station via the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS). IPAWS is FEMA’s national system for local alerting that provides authenticated emergency and life-saving information to the public through mobile phones using Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), to radio and television via Emergency Alert System, and on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Weather Radio.

Have you ever received an Amber, Emergency and/or a Public Safety Alert to your phone via special tone and vibration?

Mobile devices that are IPAWS-WEA capable are typically automatically opted-in to receive alerts when first set up. Check your phone setting to see that you are receiving WEA Alert messages.

In an emergency, an emergency alert (a WEA message) will be sent to your WEA-enabled mobile device at no charge to you. When you receive a WEA message, tune in to local radio or TV station broadcasting emergency information and listen for instructions. Call your neighbors, especially the elderly or those with access and functional needs to make sure they know what to do.

Receiving/hearing a WEA message, or any alert message on your phone, does NOT mean you should evacuate. It means tune in to local radio or television station(s) and listen for information and instructions on what to do.

In order to receive WEA messages, you must have a compatible device and be located in the affected area where the WEA message is being sent. To ensure you receive WEA messages, 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 that shows step-by-step how to enable WEA and other emergency alert notifications to be received on your phone.

A list of local television and radio stations is provided. There are multiple ways for you to stay informed before, before, during, and after a disaster, go to VDEM Stay Informed to learn more.

Emergency Alert Radio / TV Stations
Radio TV Station
Richmond
WRVA 1140 AM
WRXL 102.1 FM
WRNL 910 AM
WRVQ 94.5 FM
Richmond
WTVR Ch.6
WRIC Ch.8
WWBT Ch.12
 
Charlottesville
WVIR Ch. 29
WVIR Ch. 3
WVAW Ch. 4
WAHU Ch. 9
Richmond
WTVR Ch.6
WRIC Ch.8
WWBT Ch.12
 
Charlottesville
WVIR Ch. 29
WVIR Ch. 3
WVAW Ch. 4
WAHU Ch. 9
Washington D.C.
WRC Ch. 4
WTTG Ch. 5
WJLA Ch. 7
WUSA Ch. 9
Hanover (county residents only) WQGT 1700 AM  

Parents of School Children

Emergency officials will advise school administrators on what action to take. Parents need to listen to local media for updates on school status and instructions.

Each school year, review your child’s emergency school plan(s) and procedure(s) on how you will be notified of your child’s status in an emergency.

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Know Your Protective Action Zone (PAZ)
and Evacuation Assembly Center (EAC)

In an emergency, it is unlikely that everyone within the 10-mile area of the plant would be affected due to varying factors, such as weather and nature of the emergency.

The 10-mile area around the North Anna Power Station is divided into 25 zones, called Protective Action Zones (PAZ). Knowing your PAZ will let you know if your zone is affected by the emergency and what action(s) to take. For example, people in some zones may be instructed to shelter-in-place or evacuate, while people in other zones may not be affected at all.

If your PAZ is instructed to evacuate, listen closely to emergency officials on instruction to report to your assigned Evacuation Assembly Center (EAC). EACs offer contamination monitoring, and if recommended, potassium iodide (KI) as a supplemental protective action. Learn more about Potassium Iodide (KI) below.

If you live or work within the 10-mile area of North Anna Power Station, use the map below to find your PAZ you reside or work and nearby EAC. Or, review the static map.

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Take Action

If Your Protective Action Zone is Told to Evacuate:

  • Stay calm - review your emergency plan. In an event, you will have time to take necessary action.
  • Monitor local EAS radio or television stations.
  • Grab your emergency kit. Grab all essentials, including personal items/devices for you, your family, and pet(s). You may be away from home for several days.
  • Keep informed. Ensure your IPAWS-WEA capable phone is enabled to receive IPAWS-WEA emergency alerts and continually monitor local radio or TV for information. Emergency instructions will be broadcast on what protective actions to take – whether to shelter-in-place or evacuate via designated evacuation routes.
  • 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 with your child.
  • Secure your home and turn off utilities. Lock doors and windows and turn off electrical appliances (except refrigerator and freezer).
  • Drive safely and report to your EAC. If directed, report to your assigned EAC for contamination monitoring and, if recommended, KI. 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 for more information, contact 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 3 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.  
  • Extinguish stove/fireplace fires and close 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.
  • Questions during an emergency and for more information, contact 2-1-1 or check the VDEM website.

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Follow Emergency Instructions

Report to Your Evacuation Assembly Center (EAC) in an Evacuation

If your PAZ is asked to evacuate, you may be instructed to go to your assigned EAC, where designated personnel will monitor for contamination and, if recommended, supply potassium iodide (KI) as a supplemental protective action.

Note: In a real emergency, it is possible that not all PAZs will need to evacuate. Listen carefully to instructions specific to your area.

Evacuation Assembly Centers
Caroline County
Caroline High School
19155 Rogers Clark Blvd.
Milford, VA 22514
Louisa County
Moss-Nuckols Elementary School
2055 Courthouse Rd.
Louisa, VA 23093

Spotsylvania County
Chancellor High School
6300 Harrison Rd.
Fredericksburg, VA 22407

Massaponax High School
8201 Patriot Highway (U.S. 1)
Fredericksburg, VA 22407

Hanover County
Liberty Middle School
13496 Liberty School Rd.
Ashland, VA 23005
Orange County
Prospect Heights Middle School
200 Dailey Dr.
Orange, VA 22960

 

Take Potassium Iodide (KI) If Recommended

Not every radiological emergency will result in the release of radioactive iodine. Potassium iodide (or KI) is a form of iodine and may be recommended as a supplemental 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 the Virginia Department of Health and distributed at your local EAC. For more information on potassium iodide, visit Virginia Department of Health’s potassium iodide webpage.

Protect Your Livestock and Agriculture

Protective recommendations for livestock and agricultural products will be issued by appropriate state and local officials. Other preparedness actions to protect livestock and agriculture 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.

For more information about disaster planning for livestock and agriculture, contact your local cooperative extension agent or emergency management office. You may also want to download the U.S Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Livestock Preparedness Fact Sheet  for additional guidance on protecting livestock in emergencies.

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More Information

Local and State Contact Information

For additional emergency preparedness and response information specific to your area, visit your local emergency management/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:

Caroline County

Office: 804-633-9831

Individuals with access and functional needs needing evacuation assistance, contact 804-633-9831.

To receive local alerts and information from Caroline County, subscribe to Caroline Alert.

Hanover County

Office: 804-537-6195

Individuals with access and functional needs needing evacuation assistance, contact 804-365-4148.

To receive local alerts and information from Hanover County, subscribe to Hanover Alerts.

Louisa County

Office: 540-967-3491

Individuals with access and functional needs needing evacuation assistance, contact 540-967-3491.

To receive local alerts and information from Louisa County, subscribe to CivicReady Citizen Alert.

Orange County

Office: 540-672-1900

Individuals with access and functional needs needing evacuation assistance, contact 540-672-7044.

To receive local alerts and information from Orange County, subscribe to RaveAlert.

Spotsylvania County

Office: 540-507-7900

Individuals with access and functional needs needing evacuation assistance, contact 540-507-7900, or go to the Spotsylvania Social Services website.

To receive local alerts and information from Spotsylvania County, subscribe to SpotsyAlert.

Virginia Department of Emergency Management

Office: 804-674-2400 (or toll free at 800-468-8892)

Visit the VDEM website for emergency preparedness and response information for all types of hazards.

Virginia Department of Health’s Radiological Health

Provides radiological health and other emergency preparedness and response information.

Virginia 2-1-1

Call VA 2-1-1 for information on all kinds of topics, including school closures, reception center, emergency preparedness and other emergency planning topics.

Dominion Energy

Call Dominion Energy toll-free at 866-366-4357 for more information about nuclear power station operations and preparedness, or to request a hard copy of this information mailed to you at no cost.

Download This Information as a PDF

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Test Your Knowledge

Correct!

Incorrect. Please try again.

In an emergency at the nuclear power station, emergency officials will alert the public via a WEA message to mobile devices. These are real time alerts sent directly to mobile devices with information about the emergency and instructions on how to stay safe.

Prior to 2023, sirens were the old alerting method before changing to WEA messages on mobile devices. Sirens are not used anymore to alert the public.

Turning to social media feeds is not the first action or place to be alerted of an emergency at the nuclear power station. Unofficial social media feeds can spread false or misleading information.

Correct!

Incorrect. Please try again.

Receiving or hearing a WEA message or any alert message on your phone, does NOT mean you should evacuate. It means tune into your local radio or television station(s) and listen for information and instructions on what to do, such as shelter-in-place or to evacuate your home.

In an emergency, when you receive a WEA message to your mobile device, next action is to tune into local radio and/or TV station(s) for information and instructions.

Do not ignore the WEA alert. The reason for receiving the alert is to get your attention and tune into your local radio or television station(s) for information and instructions.

Correct!

Incorrect. Please try again.

If you need help with developing a Family Emergency Plan and/or Emergency Kit, go to Ready.gov and/or Virginia Department of Emergency Management's website for helpful emergency preparedness resources to get you started.

The U.S. Department of Defense will not provide you emergency preparedness resources to help you develop a Family Emergency Plan and/or an Emergency Kit.

The U.S. Department of Treasury will not provide you emergency preparedness resources to help you develop a Family Emergency Plan and/or an Emergency Kit.

Correct!

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These zones have no connection to public school districts in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

These zones have no connection to voting districts in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Protective Action Zones are established to provide instruction on what action(s) to take in an emergency.

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In an emergency at North Anna Power Station, people may call VA 2-1-1 for information and resources related to the emergency.

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Nuclear power stations have 3 fission product barriers (protective barriers) to prevent the release of radioactive fission products from the reactor core to the environment.

  1. 1. First barrier is the fuel cladding.
  2. 2. Second barrier is the Reactor Coolant System.
  3. 3. Third barrier is the Containment Building.

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