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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 and 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 developing your Emergency Plan and building your Emergency Kit today. Download the SC Emergency Manager Mobile App, South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) official mobile app, to build your own emergency plan(s), keep track of supplies, and stay connected. Or, visit the SCEMD website to view available resources and tools.

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
  • Potassium Iodide (KI)
  • 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 the emergency. Deciding in advance what to do with your pet during an emergency can save its life. You should never have to 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.

pet icon
  • 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 SCEMD’s Preparing Your Pets in an Emergency webpage for additional information and guidance. 

 

Register as an Individual with Access and Functional Needs

If you are an individual with access and functional needs that  may require evacuation assistance, you should complete and return the Individuals With Access and Functional Needs Survey that is mailed to residents on an annual basis, or contact your locality to learn what options are available. Residents needing evacuation assistance must complete and mail, at no cost, the survey card every year. If you become ill or need assistance at the time of an emergency, contact your local sheriff or ambulance service.  

Contact information is provided under More Information.


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 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 per day, 7 days per week 
  • Comprehensive security plans that are managed by 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. 

  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/TV station for information, the public will be alerted and notified of an emergency at V.C. Summer Nuclear 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 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 into one of your local EAS radio or TV stations 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 into your local EAS radio or television station(s) and listen for information and instructions on what to do. A list of local television and radio stations is provided below. 

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.

There are multiple ways for you to stay informed before, during, and after a disaster. Go to SCEMD Stay Informed to learn more. 

Emergency Alert Radio / TV Stations
Radio TV Station
WCOS 1140 AM
WCOS 97.5 FM
WTCB 106.7 FM 
WLTR 91.3 FM  
 
 
All radio and television stations with city of license and cable operators with their franchise agreements within the Midlands local area will monitor WCOS-FM, WTCB-FM and NOAA.  This includes Fairfield, Lexington, Newberry, and Richland counties, in which the V.C. Summer 10-mile emergency planning zone is located.

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 instruction.  

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 Reception Center 

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 V.C. Summer Nuclear Station is divided up into 13 zones, called Protective Action Zones. By knowing your protective action zone, you can quickly identify if you are in the zone 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.     

To easily find out your protective action zone, go to SCEMD’s Nuclear Facility Zones interactive map or view in the SC Emergency Manager mobile app. Or, view the static map.  

If your protective action zone is instructed to evacuate, listen closely to emergency officials on instruction to report to your assigned Reception Center. Learn more about Reception Centers under Report to Your Reception Center in an Evacuation  below. 
 

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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. 
  • Grab your emergency kit. Grab all essentials, including personal items and 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 television 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)
  • Tie a white handkerchief or cloth to door or mailbox. This indicates to authorities that you have left your home. 
  • Drive safely and report to your reception center. If directed, report to your assigned reception center 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 SC 2-1-1 and/or visit the SCEMD 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 SC 2-1-1 and/or visit the SCEMD website.
     

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Follow Emergency Instructions

Report to Your Reception Center in an Evacuation

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

Use the primary evacuation route described below to get to your assigned Reception Center, unless otherwise directed to use another alternative route instead. 

COUNTY SECTOR PRIMARY EVACUATION ROUTE RECEPTION CENTER
FAIRFIELD
A-0
213 East, 321 North, to Fairfield Magnet School for
Math and Science
FAIRFIELD A-1 257 North, to 99 North, to 34  East, 321 North, to
Fairfield Magnet School for
Math and Science
FAIRFIELD A-2 34  East, 321 North, to Fairfield Magnet School for
Math and Science
FAIRFIELD B-1 213  East, 321 North, to Fairfield Magnet School for
Math and Science
FAIRFIELD B-2 213  East, 321 North, to Fairfield Magnet School for
Math and Science
FAIRFIELD C-1 215 South, 269 North, 321 North, to Fairfield Magnet School for
Math and Science
FAIRFIELD C-2 215 South, 269 North, 321 North, to Fairfield Magnet School for
Math and Science
RICHLAND D-1 26 East, 20 East, 277 North, 77 North,
Exit 27 Blythewood Rd, to State Rd S-40-59 Muller Rd
Muller Road Middle School *
LEXINGTON D-2 26 East,  Exit 103 Harbison Blvd to St. Andrews Rd, West to Crossroads Intermediate School
NEWBERRY E-1 US 176 West, on SC 219 South/West, to Newberry High School
NEWBERRY E-2 US 26 West, on SC 219 South/West, to Newberry High School
NEWBERRY F-1 Broad River Rd North, to SC South, to Hillbrook Lane (West), On SC   South/West, to Newberry High School
NEWBERRY F-2 US 176 North, to SC 34 South,  to Hillbrook Lane (West),
On SC 219 South/West, to
Newberry High School
 *  Students will be released to their parents via the Dutch Fork High School parents’ pick-up line at Dutch Fork High School.

Below are schools and licensed daycare centers in the 10-mile area around the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station, in their respective sector,  and assigned reception center to go to if instructed to evacuate: 

COUNTY School/Licensed Day Care Center
Sector 
Reception Center 
Richland County 

Academy for Success

Spring Hill High School

Center for Advanced Technology 

Chapin Middle School 

D-1

D-1

D-1

D-1

Muller Rd MS

Muller Rd MS

Muller Rd MS

Muller Rd MS

Fairfield County 

Kelly Miller Child Development Center 

Kelly Miller School 

McCrorey-Liston Child Development Center 

McCrorey-Liston School of Technology 

C-2

C-2

A-2

A-2

Fairfield Magnet School

Fairfield Magnet School

Fairfield Magnet School

Fairfield Magnet School

Lexington County 

Chapin Baptist Child Development Center 

Chapin Children Center

Chapin Elementary School 

Chapin Intermediate School

Chapin High School

Inez’s Children Center  

Abner Montessori School 

Mt. Horeb Lutheran Church

D-2

D-2

D-2

D-2

D-2

D-2

D-2

D-2

Crossroads Intermediate School

Crossroads Intermediate School

Crossroads Intermediate School

Crossroads Intermediate School

Crossroads Intermediate School

Crossroads Intermediate School

Crossroads Intermediate School

Crossroads Intermediate School

NEWBERRY

Little Angels Day Care

Little Mountain School* 

Mid-Carolina High School*

Mid-Carolina Middle School*

Pomaria-Garmany School*

E-2

E-2

E-2

E-2

F-2

Newberry HS

Wightman UM Church

Wightman UM Church

Wightman UM Church

Central UM

 *  Note: Refer to Parent Information Brochure on Critical Incidents distributed by Newberry County Schools.

Take Potassium Iodide (KI) If Recommended

Not every radiological emergency will result in the release of radioactive iodine. Potassium iodide, also known as KI, is a form of iodine. KI is used as a supplemental protective action.  KI helps protect your thyroid gland if there is a chance you might be exposed to a harmful amount of radioactive iodine.  A 2-day supply of KI tablets is provided at no cost to residents living or working within the 10-mile area around V.C. Summer Nuclear Station by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC).  

To obtain your 2-day KI supply, go to your local SCDHEC county public health department and bring some form of identification or paperwork that shows you live or work within the 10-mile area of V.C. Summer Nuclear Station (no appointment necessary): 

  • Fairfield County Health Department  
    1136 Kincaid Bridge Rd.; Winnsboro, SC 29180 

  • Lexington County Health Department  
    1070-B South Lake Dr.; Lexington, SC 29073 

  • Newberry County Health Department  
    2111 Wilson Rd.; Newberry, SC 29108 

  • Richland County Health Department   
    2000 Hampton St.; Columbia, SC 29204 

IMPORTANT KI REMINDERS 

  • Do NOT take KI unless directed to do so by public health officials. 
  • If directed to take KI,  follow exact dosage for your age group.
  • Do NOT give KI to pets. 

Residents living outside the 10-mile area can purchase KI tablets from their personal pharmacy.

If Ki is recommended in an emergency, it is Important to follow exact dosing, which can be found on SCDHEC KI Fact Sheet. Especially in young children and infants, giving too much KI can cause more serious side effects and health issues.

Visit SCDHEC’s Radiation, Nuclear Safety webpage for more information on radiation, KI, and South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control’s Nuclear Response and Emergency Environmental Surveillance section, or call 1-844-723-7377.

Protect Your Livestock, Poultry, and Agriculture   

Protective recommendations for livestock and agricultural products will be issued by appropriate state and local officials. 

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 a premises-specific emergency plan to use in the case of any evacuation notice.  Nuclear plant emergencies may impact livestock, food, and agricultural products. As a precaution for public health and safety, and in response to an emergency resulting in contamination, state and federal officials may restrict the movement of livestock, poultry, food and feed items, and other agricultural products. Livestock and poultry are domesticated animals typically raised on a farm or other agricultural setting and include but are not limited to cattle, horses/donkeys, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, and turkeys.

Livestock and poultry owners, farmers, and producers can find more information related to emergency preparedness planning from the Clemson University Livestock Poultry Health (Office of the SC State Veterinarian) website and the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service website. 

For more information about disaster planning for livestock and agriculture, visit SCEMD’s Agriculture and Nuclear Power in South Carolina factsheet .  

 

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More Information

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. 
 
Office: (803) 635-4444  |   24-hour: (803) 635-5511  |   24-hour (emergency use only):  911
Office: (803) 785-8343   |   24-hour (emergency use only):  911
Office: (803) 321-2135   |  24-hour: (803) 321-2222  |   24-hour (emergency use only):  911
Office: (803) 576 -3400  |  24-hour: (803) 254-3061  |   24-hour (emergency use only):  911
For radiation and nuclear safety related inquiries, contact 1-844-RAD-RESP (1-844-723 -7377)  
Office: (803) 737-8500   |  SCEMD Public Information (activated only during emergencies): (866) 246-0133 

Download SC Emergency Manager, the official app of SCEMD. You can build your own emergency plan(s),  keep track of supplies, and to stay connected loved ones. The app contains other functionality to keep you prepared and informed, including the ability to function without the need of a data connection. Download free today at  Apple App Store or Google Play
 
Call SC 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 800-251-7234 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 into a PDF 

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Test Your Knowledge

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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.

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Incorrect. Please try again.

If you need help with developing a Family Emergency Plan and/or Emergency Kit, go to SCEMD website and/or the SC Emergency Manager Mobile App 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.

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These zones have no connection to public school districts in the State of South Carolina.

These zones have no connection to voting districts in the State of South Carolina.

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 V.C. Summer Nuclear Station, people may call SC 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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