Press Release-I-03-053, NRC Region I Monitors Hurricane Isabel

Press Release-I-03-053: NRC Region I Monitors Hurricane Isabel

ML032650703
Person / Time
Issue date:	09/18/2003
From:	Office of Public Affairs Region I
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Category:Press Release
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Press Release-I-03-053
Download: ML032650703 (2)

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NRC NEWS U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Office of Public Affairs, Region I 475 Allendale Road, King of Prussia, Pa. 19406 www.nrc.gov No. I-03-53 September 18, 2003 CONTACT: Diane Screnci, 610/337-5330 Email: opa1@nrc.gov Neil Sheehan, 610/337-5331 NRC REGION I MONITORS HURRICANE ISABEL The Nuclear Regulatory Commissions Region I office in King of Prussia, Pa., is monitoring storm preparations at several nuclear plants in the mid-Atlantic region as Hurricane Isabel heads for the area.

The Region I office activated its Incident Response Center at 9 a.m. today. NRC inspectors from the Regional office are currently at all of the Regions nuclear plants. At those sites that are most likely to be affected by the storm, NRC inspectors are reviewing severe weather preparations. These are principally sites in Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

The Resident Inspectors are monitoring activities from the control rooms. Provisions are being made for round-the-clock coverage, should that be necessary.

NRC Region I Administrator Hubert J. Miller said, All steps are being taken to assure plants are ready to deal with the effects of the impending storm - - that public health and safety is protected.

The plants have been following their procedures in response to the storm conditions, including securing loose equipment and making sure adequate supplies and personnel are available. In general, plants' safety procedures specify that the plants begin to shut down should winds or other conditions reach pre-established levels. At this point, it's not expected that those conditions will be reached at any plant.

Projected landfall for Hurricane Isabel is expected this afternoon.