Subject: US Nuclear Plant is not Immune to Tornadoes - Fukushima Precursor
From: Chris in Delaware
Date: Mon, 18 Apr 2011 10:01:21 -0400
In case you ask whether the weather can affect a
nuclear power plant in the US. IF the Emergency Diesel
Generators did not function, THEN a Fukushima would occur near Washington DC!
Virginia Nuclear Power Plant Shuts Down After Storm
Monday, Apr 18,
2011 | Updated 11:42 AM EDT
Va. Nuclear Plant Shuts Down After Storm
Getty
Images. A tornado that barreled across
Gloucester Saturday evening cut a mile-wide swath of destruction about 7 1/2
miles long from Coke to the Mathews County line, leaving three residents dead
and more than 60 injured, said Sheriff Steve Gentry.
By WAMU News 88.5
FM
Dominion Virginia Power reports that an apparent
tornado touched down on the switchyard supporting the Surry Power Station and
the facility's access road Saturday. The storm cut off the electrical feed from
the grid to the station, which is located in Surry County, Va.
Both reactors at the station shut down automatically
as designed and backup diesel generators started immediately to provide the
electricity necessary to maintain both units.
A spokesperson for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
says no release of radioactive material occurred beyond minor releases
associated with normal station operations.
That release is below federally approved operating
limits and poses no threat to station workers or the public, the NRC said in a
statement released Sunday.
The apparent tornado did not strike the two nuclear
units, which are designed to withstand natural events such as tornadoes,
hurricanes and earthquakes.
Power company personnel and NRC staff are working to
restore full electrical service to the station.