AMU Emergency Management Original Public Safety

EDM Wednesday Briefing: NRC Downgrades 3 Nuclear Facilities

By
turkey point station NRC Arsenault

Emergency and disaster management briefing for May 19, 2021: India struggles with no power and widespread destruction in aftermath of Cyclone Tauktae; the NRC has downgraded performance ratings for three nuclear generating facilities; strong storms, heavy rains, and high winds led to flooding and flash floods in Louisiana; authorities in Los Angeles have charged a suspect with arson in the Palisades Fire; the AVO has raised the alert levels for the Semisopochnoi volcano; homeowners in South Florida face losing their insurance as hurricane season looms; a shaking and swaying skyscraper in China sent thousands fleeing; and Indian Naval ships and helicopters rescued hundreds from the Arabian Sea.

1. Cyclone Tauktae slammed into the Gujarat and Maharashtra coasts in India on Monday. The fifth most powerful cyclone to strike the region in decades, it cut a wide path of destruction, downing trees and power lines and destroying buildings. High winds of up to 125 mph, along with heavy rainfall, collapsed buildings and flooded roadways. According to Indian officials, at least 25 people died across the region where Tauktae made landfall.

2. Newly released ratings by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) identify a total of three plants that had their performance rating downgraded — placing them under special scrutiny with additional monitoring and inspections. After a fourth unplanned shutdown of Florida Power and Light’s (FPLs) Turkey Point Unit 3 reactor in March, it was added to the NRC’s downgraded list. The plant, which is located in south Florida, had a total of four unplanned shutdowns in just seven months. It joined Callaway Nuclear Power Plant in Missouri and the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station in southeastern Mississippi on the NRC downgraded list.

3. Heavy rainfall across Louisiana led to widespread flooding and flash floods, resulting in hundreds of high water rescues on Monday and Tuesday. Officials stated that at least three people died in the floodwaters. A total of at least 10 inches of rain was recorded in Baton Rouge by Tuesday morning, with more rainfall in the foreseeable forecast. The strong storms, high winds, and heavy rains impacted much of east Texas and Louisiana, along with parts of Oklahoma and Arkansas. Conditions are likely to continue through Thursday.

4. A homeless man in Los Angeles has been charged in connection with a wildfire burning in the Santa Monica mountains. Ramon Rodriguez, 48, was seen emerging from burning brush by a private security guard, who called authorities. The suspect, who was subsequently treated for smoke inhalation, was charged with two counts of arson. As of early Wednesday morning, the wildfire was about 47% contained and had burned 1,158 acres.

5. The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) raised the Aviation Alert level for the Semisopochnoi volcano to Orange and the Alert Level to Advisory after a series of small explosions and ash emissions. Ash emissions were caught by satellite images and were determined to be below 10,000 feet above sea level. The volcano is identified as a stratovolcano that rises to 4,006 feet and is situated in the Aleutian Islands in Alaska.

6. The 2021 hurricane season begins on June 1, and officials are imploring residents to ensure they are prepared for the upcoming season. Part of those preparations include ensuring that residents have adequate homeowner’s insurance that covers hurricane damage. According to reports, as the season looms, insurance companies are dropping policies across the state — but largely in three South Florida counties. Reasons cited by the companies include inflated damage claims, excessive litigation and blatant fraud.

7. A skyscraper in the Guangdong region of China began shaking and swaying Tuesday afternoon, sending thousands fleeing from the building. Social media posts show the building swaying, and unconfirmed reports note that nearby subway construction could be to blame. Boasting 72 floors, the building rises 1,167 feet into the air. It  is the 21st tallest building in China and the 72nd tallest in the world.

8. Hundreds of people from sunk or disabled ships and barges in the Arabian Sea were rescued by Naval helicopters and ships amid Cyclone Tauktae. A total of at least 90 people are still missing at sea, while another 662 people have been rescued. Disabled ships and barges adrift at sea pose threats to shore- based operations, other ships, and oil rigs, but naval ships were able to anchor, tow, or otherwise restore operation to the many of the disabled vessels.

  

Kimberly Arsenault serves as an intern at the Cleveland/Bradley County Emergency Management Agency where she works on plan revisions and special projects. Previously, Kimberly spent 15 years in commercial and business aviation. Her positions included station manager at the former Midwest Express Airlines, as well as corporate flight attendant, inflight manager, and charter flight coordinator. Kimberly currently holds a master's degree in emergency and disaster management from American Public University.

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