Residents across the Charlotte region may hear nuclear sirens today as part of a routine emergency alert system test. Duke Energy and county emergency officials will conduct quarterly testing near two nuclear plants between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9.
The test will involve 156 outdoor sirens. Specifically, 89 sirens near the Catawba Nuclear Station in York, South Carolina, and 67 near the McGuire Nuclear Station in Huntersville, North Carolina, will sound for 5 to 30 seconds each.
To prepare for potential emergencies, Carolina residents can download the Emergency Manager app and use the “Know Your Zone” tool to identify their emergency zone based on location.
During an actual emergency, officials may advise residents to shelter in place. Key steps include closing windows and doors, turning off HVAC systems, staying in interior rooms, and conserving phone battery.
Authorities remind the public to stay calm, follow official guidance, and monitor reliable news sources during any emergency.
