Evacuation & Shelter-in-Place

How You Will Know

You will be notified by local officials, police, sheriff, or emergency management. These officials may use a variety of means, including:

  • Door-to-door contact
  • Emergency Alert System messages through AM/FM radios and TV
  • NOAA Weather/All-Hazard radios
  • Outdoor warning sirens
  • Public announcement system from vehicles
  • Public Notification System
  • Social media
  • Tone alert radios
  • Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs)

What to Do

In the unlikely event that you are told to evacuate, you should move as soon as possible to the location designated by local officials. Hopefully, any potential dangers are being anticipated and the evacuation is being ordered in advance of any hazard that may be approaching. Thus, you should have time to move in an orderly, controlled manner (without panic or haste). But, it also does not mean you can delay your departure in order to pack a lot of personal items or move furniture.

What to Take

Do not waste valuable time collecting and packing a lot of materials. Gather and pack only what you and your family will need. Plan ahead and save time by having these items in a readily accessible place:

  • Extra clothing (two to three changes)
  • Eyeglasses, dentures, prescription drugs or other important medicines and first aid kits
  • Baby supplies (food, diapers, etc.)
  • Portable radio and flashlight
  • Checkbook and credit cards
  • Driver's license or other identification

How to Evacuate

Before you leave, turn off lights, appliances and heating/air conditioning system. Leave your refrigerator/freezer on. Be sure to lock your home.

Do not go to your children's school to pick them up. This will only cause severe congestion, hampering their move to a safer place. If the schools must be evacuated, children will be taken to a safe designated place. You will be informed by radio or television where to pick them up.

Do not use the telephone unless you have a personal emergency. The telephone lines will be needed for official business.

Use as few vehicles to transport your family as possible. If you have room, see if any of your neighbors need a ride. Limiting the number of vehicles on the road will ease congestion and aid the evacuation process. Drive safely and defensively. Keep your car windows and vents closed. Listen to your local radio station for reports and other information.

Shelter-in-Place

If you are outside, you, your family and pets should go into your house or a nearby building. Studies have shown that even poorly sealed buildings offer some protection. Going inside is safer than trying to outrun a release. Being inside will allow the release to pass over you. If you have children who are in school, they will be protected by school officials according to their pre-plans.

Close all doors and windows. Do not use fireplaces. Close the dampers. Shut off  heating/air conditioning system and any fans. While this may bring some discomfort, it is better than breathing in toxic fumes. In any case, the building should hold the heat or cold air inside for a while before becoming uncomfortable. By that time, the emergency response officials may have had enough time to stop the release.

Listen to radio station WIBW 94.5 FM for further information. Do not go outside to see if the release is still occurring until officials have notified you that it is safe to do so.

Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation

For additional information on emergency preparedness, please visit the Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation website.