SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY) — Residents, businesses and schools near the Brunswick Nuclear Plant in Southport are being encouraged to check their emergency planning zone numbers as changes take effect next month.
Starting Monday, November 2, Duke Energy will launch an updated interactive map allowing people to enter addresses for their homes, workplaces, businesses and schools to identify their emergency planning zone numbers and designated relocation centers.
The changes affect properties within the plant’s 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ), which includes portions of Brunswick and New Hanover counties.
While the overall size of the emergency planning area will remain the same, several zone boundaries are being adjusted. The number of zones will also increase from 13 to 20, meaning some properties will receive new zone numbers.
According to Duke Energy, the changes are intended to improve emergency preparedness and evacuation planning in the unlikely event of a nuclear emergency.
Over the past two years, local and state emergency management officials and radiological professionals have worked to update the zones based on population growth, new developments and road capacity.
The expansion to 20 zones is designed to better support public safety measures and evacuation efforts if they become necessary.
Duke Energy plans to mail postcards to homes and properties within the 10-mile radius in early November, notifying residents about the changes and directing them to emergency preparedness information.
The company sends similar preparedness postcards to properties within the emergency planning area each year.
Brunswick County Emergency Management, New Hanover County Emergency Management, North Carolina Emergency Management and Duke Energy are working together to inform the public about the changes.
The organizations are also members of the Brunswick Task Force, which coordinates nuclear emergency preparedness efforts with federal, state and local agencies.
The task force regularly reviews emergency plans and participates in federally graded emergency exercises every two years. The organizations also coordinate routine public safety education, including quarterly emergency siren tests.
How to check your emergency planning zone
Beginning November 2, residents can visit Duke Energy’s Nuclear Emergency Preparedness website and enter their address to find their updated zone number and relocation center.
Residents with questions about zone changes or emergency preparedness can also contact Brunswick County Emergency Management at 910-253-5383.
Additional information is available through the Brunswick County Emergency Management website.
Officials encourage residents to familiarize themselves with their updated zones before an emergency occurs.
