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.

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 an 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 in to 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 in to 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 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.

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 Surry Power Station is divided into 24 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 Surry Power Station, use the map below to find your PAZ you reside or work and nearby EAC. Or, view the static map.

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, potassium iodide (KI) as a supplemental protective action.

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

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 the 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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