Whenever an emergency happens at a nuclear power plant, the event is put into one of four classes. You may hear these terms during emergency broadcast messages:

Unusual Events

A minor event has taken place. No release of radioactive matter is expected. Federal, State and local officials would be told. Seabrook Station plant staff would respond to the event. You would not have to do anything.

Alert

This is also a minor event. Small amounts of radioactive matter could be released. Federal, State and local officials would be told. Special emergency facilities would be opened, and plant conditions would be monitored. A media center would give regular information to the press. Hampton and Seabrook beaches could be closed. You would not have to do anything else except stay tuned to local news reports.

Site Area Emergency

This is a more serious event. Radioactive matter could be released. Federal, State and local officials would be told. All emergency facilities would be operating. Emergency workers would be ready to do their jobs. The sirens would be sounded. Hampton and Seabrook beaches would be closed. The Coast Guard would alert boaters to leave the area. Communities could be told to shelter. School children could be evacuated as a precaution. Tune your radio to an EBS/EAS station.

General Emergency

This kind of event is classed as the most serious. Radioactive matter could go well beyond the plant site. Federal, State and local officials would be told. All emergency facilities would be in full operation. Emergency workers would be ready to help the public. The sirens would be sounded. Beaches would be closed. The Coast Guard would alert boaters to leave the area. Be prepared to take action such as sheltering or evacuating, School children could be evacuated as a precaution before any evacuation of the general public. Farmers should be ready to shelter livestock and give them stored feed and water. Turn your radio to an EBS/EAS station.

Emergency Plan Testing

To make sure the emergency plans work well, they are tested regularly. This testing is called an "exercise" Seabrook Station workers and public officials simulate a serious problem. They go through the emergency actions in the plan. You can usually read about these tests in the newspaper before they take place.

Nuclear Power Plants