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Emergency action plans
If an accident occurs at Waterford 3, experts at the plant will help your State and Parish agencies decide how serious it is. You will be told what actions to take, based on the plans described here. Be sure you understand them. If you have any questions while reading the information provided in this website, ask one of these offices for help now. That way you will be prepared before an emergency can come up. Click here for contact information.
When will an emergency affect you?
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency have studied this question. They have learned that you most likely will not have to do anything. If you live as close as ten miles from Waterford 3, though, you should be prepared.
If your home or the place you work is on the map above, an emergency may or may not affect you. An accident could affect some parts of the map and not others. That will depend on where the wind is coming from, how strong it is, and on how severe the accident is. To help you know if you will have to take some action or not, the map has these 16 sections.
• A1, A2, A3, A4
• B1, B2, B3, B4
• C1, C2, C3, C4
• D1, D2, D3, D4
In an emergency, radio and TV stations will tell which sections on the map will be affected. Click the section of the map where you live. Write that number down to make it easy to find later if you need it.
How will you be told about an emergency?
Outdoor sirens will be turned on if there is an emergency in your parish. These sirens have been put in the best places in St. Charles and St. John the Baptist Parishes for you to hear them. Firemen and deputies may drive through the area to warn you, too. If you are in a marsh or swamp, you will be warned by state or parish officials. If you are in a boat on the river, the sirens on shore will warn you. The Coast Guard may also warn you.
The sirens will sound only during testing and during emergencies.
• Tests — Local governments will test outdoor sirens at noon on the first Thursday of each month. These are just tests. You do not need to do anything.
• Emergencies — If there is an emergency, you will hear a wavering sound that stays on for 3 to 5 minutes. This means that you should turn on your radio or TV. These stations will tell you which sections of the map are affected by the emergency. They will also tell you what actions to take if you are in one of the affected sections. Click here for radio stations and TV stations.
Should you use the phone?
If there is an emergency, the phone lines will be needed for official business. Do not use your phone unless you or someone you know is injured or too sick to do what is needed. If you must use the phone, keep your call very short. The information in this website and your radio and TV will tell you what actions you might need to take. Read it through and be sure you understand it. Clear up all questions you have now, not later.
Do not listen to rumors. Turn on your radio or TV for up-to-date information during an emergency.
What are the ACTIONS you might need to take?
The three actions you might be asked to take are called protect your breathing, shelter in place, and evacuate. They are described below. Be sure you are clear about them. If you have neighbors who are hard of hearing or do not see well, please help them. Be sure they know what they are supposed to do in an emergency. Fill out the Special Needs Card form on this page for them if they cannot do this themselves. Use this form also if you or someone you know needs a wheelchair or needs special help for some other reason. That way you can be sure to get the special help needed.
What if you are told to PROTECT YOUR BREATHING?
This means you should take these steps.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a handkerchief or other cloth.
• Close the windows and doors if you are in a building or a car. Turn vent or A/C to “recirc” or “max” if you are in a car.
• Turn off window and attic fans.
• Turn heating or cooling systems to “recirc” or “vent closed,” if available. If not, turn off heating or cooling systems.
What if you are told to SHELTER IN PLACE?
This means you should protect yourself inside your house or some other building. This is a good action to take if there is a short release or small amount of radiation in the air. If your children are in school, they will be protected by school officials. Take these steps to protect yourself.
• Go inside if you are outside. When inside, stay there until your radio or TV says you can leave safely. This is most likely to be after a few hours, rather than a day or more.
• Close all doors and windows.
• Turn off window and attic fans.
• Turn heating or cooling systems to “recirc” or “vent closed,” if available. If not, turn off heating or cooling systems.
• Keep your pets inside.
• Listen to one of the following radio or TV stations for further instructions.
Click here for radio stations and TV stations.
What if you are told to EVACUATE?
This means that you should move to a place more than 10 miles from Waterford 3. Plans have been made to give you housing at special Reception Centers if you need it. Be sure all members of your family know where to meet in an emergency. That way you will not have to call them on the phone at that time.
The Reception Centers are listed below for each PAS. Also, you may click on a section on the map above to find more information on evacuation from where you live or work.
What if you are told to MONITOR AND PREPARE?
– Make sure family members are together.
– Listen to radio and TV. Click here for radio stations and TV stations.
– Prepare for the possibility of evacuation or sheltering in place.
– Keep off the road.
Follow these steps to get ready for the trip
1. Stay as calm as you can. If you already know where to go and what to take, that will help. You will have time to do what you need to do. Remember that nuclear plants do NOT explode.
2. Gather what you and your family will need. You will probably have to be away from home for a few days. Take these things along if you can.
• Extra clothing
• Eyeglasses, dentures, prescription drugs, other important medicines, and a first aid kit
• Some way to identify yourself
• Baby supplies
• Portable radio and flashlight (if you have them)
• Checkbook and credit cards
• Cell phone and batteries
3. Remember as you leave to do the following.
• Turn off the lights and your household appliances.
• Leave your refrigerator and freezer on.
• Lock your house.
• Use only one car (or other vehicle) for your family. If you have room, please check to see if any of your neighbors need a ride.
• Follow the evacuation route for your PAS. Keep your car windows and air vents closed. Listen to one of the following radio stations for reports about your route and other information. Click here for radio stations and TV stations.
• Drive safely; traffic will be heavy. Deputies along your route will help with the traffic.
4. Do not worry about your property while you are away.
• Law officers will protect it.
• National Guard troops will be called if they need help.
• Roadblocks will keep people out of the area you have left.
5. Ask about these kinds of information when you get to your Reception Center.
• How to register.
• Where members of your family are, if they are not with you.
• How to get other housing if you need it.
• How to get medical or other special help.
• How to get checked for radiation.
• When is it safe to go back home.
ZONES AND RECEPTION CENTERS
NOTE: Personnel will be in place at each Reception Center host city to direct evacuees to their designated Reception Centers.
PAS "A1"
Parish: St. Charles
Communities: Montz
Evacuation Routes:
Go North on La. 628 (River Road), to U.S. 51 North, to either I-55 North or I-10 West.
OR
Go North on Evangeline or Montz Road, to U.S. 61 North, to U.S. 51 North, to either I-55 North or I-10 West.
Reception Center:
Chapapeela Sports Park
19325 Hipark Blvd
Hammond, LA
Tangipahoa Parish
OR
The River Center
275 South River Rd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
East Baton Rouge Parish
Pickup Points:
1) Parking Lot of Little Gypsy Steam Electric Generating System
PAS "A2"
Parish
St. John, St. Charles
Communities
LaPlace
Evacuation Routes
If you live East of U.S. 51, take U.S. 51 North, to either I-55 North or I-10 West.
If you live West of U.S. 51 and South of U.S. 61, either go West on La. 44 (River Road) or take U.S. 61 North.
If you live West of U.S. 51 and north of U.S. 61, take U.S. 61 North.
Reception Center
Chapapeela Sports Park
19325 Hipark Blvd
Hammond, LA
Tangipahoa Parish
OR
The River Center
275 South River Rd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
East Baton Rouge Parish
Pickup Points
2) Ascension of Our Lord School
3) LaPlace Elementary School
4) St. Charles Catholic High School
5) John L. Ory School (W. 5th)
6) Intersection Main Street & West 5th
7) St. Joan of Arc Elementary School
8) Intersection US 51 and Woodland Drive
9) Airline Motors Parking Lot
10) River Forest Apartment Complex
11) Emily C. Watkins Elementary School
12) LaPlace Park Entrance
13) Intersection of LA 3188 and St. Andrews Blvd.
14) Parking Lot - Woodland and Cambridge Drives
PAS "A3"
Parish
St. John
Communities
Evacuation Routes
Take I-55 North.
OR
Take I-10 West.
Reception Center
Chapapeela Sports Park
19325 Hipark Blvd
Hammond, LA
Tangipahoa Parish
OR
The River Center
275 South River Rd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
East Baton Rouge Parish
Pickup Points
15) Intersection U.S. 51 and Pevine Road
PAS "A4"
Parish
St. John
Communities
Reserve and Garyville
Evacuation Routes
Take U.S. 61 North.
OR
Go West on LA. 44 (River Road).
Reception Center
The River Center
275 South River Rd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
East Baton Rouge Parish
Pickup Points
16) Our Lady of Grace Elementary School
18) East St. John High School
19) Lifehouse Daniel Academy
20) Riverside Academy High School
21) St. Peters Parochial School
22) School Board Offices (Hwy 44)
23) Old Reserve Rosenwald School Site
24) River Parishes Technical College
25) Leon Godchaux Jr. High School
26) St. John Child Development Center
27) Garyville Elementary School Site
28) Radio Station WCKW Parking Lot
29) Garyville Fire Station
PAS "B1"
Parish
St. Charles
No population in this section
PAS "B2"
Parish
St. Charles
Communities
Norco, New Sarpy and Good Hope
Evacuation Routes
Take U.S. 61 South.
OR
Go East on La. 48 (River Road).
Reception Center
Pontchartrain Center
4545 Williams Blvd.
Kenner, LA 70065
Jefferson Parish
Pickup Points
30) Norco Elementary School
31) Sacred Heart School
32) Norco Adult Learning Center
33) River Region Performing Arts Center
34) Allen Arterbury Building
PAS "B3"
Parish
St. Charles
Communities
Destrehan and St. Rose
Evacuation Routes
Take U.S. 61 South.
OR
Go East on La. 48 (River Road).
OR
Go North on La. 626, then take U.S. 61 South.
Reception Center:
Pontchartrain Center
4545 Williams Blvd.
Kenner, LA 70065
Jefferson Parish
Pickup Points
35) Ethel Schoeffner/New Sarpy Elementary
36) Destrehan High School
37) St. Charles Borremeo School
38) Harry Hurst Middle School
39) Intersection of LA 48 and Amelia St.
40) Mt . Zion Baptist Church
41) Intersection of LA 48 (River Road) and LA 626
42) St. Rose Elementary School
43) Albert Cammon Middle School
44) Intersection of U.S. 61 (Airline Highway) and LA 626
PAS "B4"
Parish
St. Charles
Communities
None
Evacuation Routes
Take U.S. 61 South.
Reception Center
Pontchartrain Center
4545 Williams Blvd.
Kenner, LA 70065
Jefferson Parish
Pickup Points
45) Intersection of U.S. 61 (Airline Highway) and Ormond Blvd. (Lake side of U.S. 61)
PAS "C1"
Parish
St. Charles
Communities
Killona
Evacuation Routes
Take La. 3141 South, then take La. 3127 North, then go South on La. 20.
Reception Center
Lafourche Parish AgCenter
115 Texas St
Raceland, LA
Lafourche Parish
Pickup Points
46) Killona Park
PAS "C2"
Parish
St. John, St. Charles
Communities
Lucy
Evacuation Routes
Take La. 18 North (River Road), go South on La. 640, take La. 3127 North, then go South on La. 20.
OR
Take La. 18 North, then go South on La. 20.
Reception Center
Lafourche Parish AgCenter
115 Texas St
Raceland, LA
Lafourche Parish
Pickup Points
47) CAS Bar
48) Lucy Elementary School Site
49) Duck’s Ice
PAS "C3"
Parish
St. John
Communities
Edgard, Wallace and Johnson
Evacuation Routes
Take La. 18 North (River Road), then go South on La. 20.
Reception Center
Lafourche Parish AgCenter
115 Texas St
Raceland, LA
Lafourche Parish
Pickup Points
51) West St. John High School
52) St. John Parish Courthouse
53) West St. John Elementary School
54) Castle Drive Park
55) Westside 66
56) Wallace Bridge Park
PAS "C4"
Parish
St. John
Communities
Pleasure Bend
Evacuation Routes
Take La. 3127 North, then go South on La. 20.
OR
Go West on La. 643 (Pleasure Bend local road), then go South on La. 20.
Reception Center
Lafourche Parish AgCenter
115 Texas St
Raceland, LA
Lafourche Parish
Pickup Points
57) Boat Launch Parking Lot at Pleasure Bend
PAS "D1"
Parish
St. Charles
Communities
Taft
Evacuation Routes
Take La. 18 South (River Road).
Reception Center
Alario Center
2000 Segnette Blvd.
Westwego, LA 70094
Jefferson Parish
Pickup Points
58) Intersection of LA 3142 and LA 18 (River Road).
PAS "D2"
Parish
St. Charles
Communities
Hahnville
Evacuation Routes
Take La. 18 South (River Road).
Reception Center
Alario Center
2000 Segnette Blvd.
Westwego, LA 70094
Jefferson Parish
Pickup Points
59) River Park Apartments Parking Lot
60) Council on Aging, Hahnville
61) G. W. Carver Early Learning Center
62) Eual J. Landry Alternative Center
PAS "D3"
Parish
St. Charles
Communities
Luling, Boutte and Mimosa Park
Evacuation Routes
If you live in Luling, take La. 18 South (River Road).
OR
Go South on La. 52 to U.S. 90 East.
If you live in Boutte or Mimosa Park, take U.S. 90 East.
Reception Center
Alario Center
2000 Segnette Blvd.
Westwego, LA 70094
Jefferson Parish
Pickup Points
63) Luling Elementary School
64) 1538 Paul Maillard Road
65) Boutte Learning Center
66) Church of Christ; Barton Ave., Lone Star
67) Mimosa Park Elementary School
68) Lakewood Elementary School
69) A. A. Songy Building at Lakewood
PAS "D4"
Parish
St. Charles
Communities
Paradis
Evacuation Routes
Take U.S. 90 West.
OR
Go South on La. 631.
Reception Center
Lafourche Parish AgCenter
115 Texas St
Raceland, LA
Lafourche Parish
Pickup Points
70) Hahnville High School
71) R. J. Vial Elementary School
72) J. B. Martin Middle School