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Nuclear Emergency

If a radiological emergency occurs at the Callaway Nuclear Plant, one of AmerenUE's top priorities will be to provide timely, accurate information to the news media and allow media representatives to meet with and ask questions of AmerenUE personnel.

How you will be notified

AmerenUE will provide initial notification of the emergency by fax or email to key media, including:

  • Mid-Missouri media

  • Wire services and Missourinet

  • St. Louis media

  • News releases on the Ameren Web site (www.ameren.com).

The Primary 24-hour Emergency Alert System (EAS) radio station in the area is KTXY 106.9 FM.

In the event of an emergency you will be advised how to proceed. Depending on where you live, it could be "no precautions necessary", "shelter in place" or evacuation.

Shelter in Place

Shelter in Place means you should stay indoors. Your residence will shield you from a percentage of radioactive material should a release occur. For extra protection, close windows and doors, turn off cooling and heating systems and move to your basement if you have one. Stay tuned to a radio, TV or EAS system.

Evacuation

The need to evacuate would be extremely rare, and would be determined by the size of the radioactive release and the direction the wind is blowing. Do not evacuate unless specifically told to do so. If instructed to evacuate, you should report to a Reception & Care Center so your whereabouts can be registered in case friends or relatives need to contact you. You may then go to an area outside the Emergency Planning Zone

Reception and Care Center Locations:

  • Hearnes Multi-Purpose Building at the University of Missouri – Columbia, MO

  • Jason Gym and Soldier's Hall on Lincoln University Campus – Jefferson City, MO

  • Montgomery County R-II High School – Montgomery City

  • Hermann Senior High School – Hermann, MO

How nuclear plant emergencies are classified

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has established four emergency action levels for nuclear power plants. Each classification requires a different response from county, state and power plant personnel. The classes, in order of severity, are:

Unusual Event

This means a minor event has occurred, or may occur, that could potentially reduce the overall level of safety. No releases of radioactive material requiring off-site response are expected. Appropriate public officials are notified, but no public action is required.

Alert

An alert is declared if events occur that could cause a further reduction in plant safety. Public officials and agencies are notified to be on standby, but no public action is required.

Site Emergency

This means there are actual or potential major failures of the plant's safety-related equipment that could release radioactive material into the environment. However, any actual danger is confined to the plant site. Agencies activate their emergency operations centers and the public is kept informed through the news media.

General Emergency

This is the most severe classification, and means safety conditions have deteriorated to where a significant release of radioactive material beyond the plant boundaries is occurring or may occur. Appropriate public agencies begin the necessary steps to protect the public. Sirens and tone alert radios are activated to warn residents of the plant's Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ). The public is given protective action instructions through the Emergency Alert System.