This afternoon Duke Energy notified the emergency management agencies for the state, Brunswick and New Hanover counties of damaged electrical equipment at the Brunswick Nuclear Plant near Southport. The utility declared an Alert in accordance with procedures. It is important to know that there is no risk to public health or safety, nor is any expected.
An Alert is an emergency classification used by plant personnel when abnormal events have the potential to impact plant equipment or public health and safety. Following their established emergency plans, Brunswick and New Hanover counties and North Carolina Emergency Management coordinated with each other on needed response and have been monitoring the situation.
While the situation never posed a threat to public safety, it has provided the state’s emergency response team with a valuable opportunity to test and coordinate plans and procedures for a real event.
“The swift and coordinated response among all agencies involved demonstrates that North Carolina has a seasoned emergency management team that stands ready to protect the public," said Mike Sprayberry, state Emergency Management director.
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