Duke Energy will conduct a full-volume test of its nuclear warning sirens for Lake Norman’s McGuire nuclear station on Wednesday, October 9.
The test, which lasts for three minutes, will involve 156 sirens located within 10 miles of both facilities, impacting residents in Catawba, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, and York counties. This test is part of Duke Energy’s annual maintenance to ensure emergency systems work correctly.
In addition to today’s annual test, Duke Energy regularly conducts shorter quarterly tests throughout the year, including on January 10th, April 10th, and July 10th. Sirens may be tested outside these times as part of maintenance, but Duke Energy will provide updates via social media in those cases.
In the event of an actual emergency, the sirens would alert residents to tune into local radio or TV stations for evacuation instructions.
Residents are reminded that hearing a siren does not mean they should evacuate immediately. Instead, they should rely on emergency broadcasts for further directions.
Sirens are critical to Duke Energy’s public safety strategy. Testing ensures the system functions as expected, providing communities near nuclear stations with an early warning system. Local media outlets and emergency alert systems will carry information during real emergencies, but residents are encouraged to familiarize themselves with testing dates and procedures to avoid confusion.
