TEMA To Test Emergency Sirens Around Nuclear Plants

February 11, 2008

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.--Sirens used to warn the public of any potential emergency at Sequoyah and Watts Bar nuclear power plants will be tested at noon Wednesday, Feb. 13. The sirens will sound for three minutes.

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency rescheduled the monthly siren tests for Feb. 13, when severe weather moved through the area on Wednesday, Feb. 6.

The sirens and other warning systems are activated by the TEMA and may be used to warn residents of an emergency other than a nuclear power incident, such as floods or tornadoes. TEMA postponed the scheduled monthly siren testing on Feb. 6 to prevent any possible misinterpretation about why the sirens were sounding.

Known as the Prompt Notification System, the sirens alert the public to tune their radios or televisions to an Emergency Alert System station for emergency instructions. In the event of a real emergency, the EAS broadcast stations will provide information and specific emergency instructions to the public.

There are 108 sirens located within a 10-mile radius of Sequoyah, and 99 located within the 10-mile radius of Watts Bar. The sirens are normally tested at noon the first Wednesday of each month.

Media Contact

Terry Johnson, Chattanooga, (423) 751-6875
TVA News Bureau, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000

TVA Newsroom