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Emergency Management

Oconee Nuclear Station

Clemson University’s main campus, and some surrounding locations are located within the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) of the Oconee Nuclear Station (ONS).

Due to the proximity of campus, Clemson University works closely with Pickens, Oconee, Anderson and Greenville County Emergency Management along with Duke Energy to plan and prepare for the unlikely event of an emergency at ONS that would require an evacuation.

BEFORE

  • Creating a preparedness kit and plan is the best way to be ready for any emergency situation, including one at ONS.
  • Know what zone your home is in.

DURING

  • In the event of emergency, ONS will alert local, state and federal partners to activate emergency alerting systems. Remember, hearing a siren does NOT mean you should evacuate. Additional instructions on what to do will be provided via:
    • CU Alerts with information from the University and any actions to take.
    • Local radio and TV stations, and/or via Wireless Emergency Alerts on mobile.
  • Follow the directions for protective actions listed in emergency alerts from Clemson University and local officials. Examples of protective actions can include:
    • Shelter-in-place
      • Issued when there is the possibility of a release of radiation.
      • Go indoors and close windows and doors. Turn off fans, heating, and air conditioning. Close all air intakes. Place your home or car system in internal recirculation, if possible.
      • Bring your pets inside. 
      • The food and water already inside your home are safe to eat/drink.
      • If possible, go to a room or basement with no or few windows.
      • Remain inside and stay tuned to your radio, TV and other devices that receive emergency alerts for additional instructions from emergency management officials.
      • If you must go outside, place a damp cloth over your nose and mouth to help keep you from breathing in some radioactive material.
    • Evacuate
      • Certain circumstances require evacuation of some or all EPZs.
      • Pack only critical items like prescription medicine, cash, financial information (e.g., insurance policies), irreplaceable items, etc.
      • Ensure appliances and faucets are off. Lock all doors and windows.
      • Get into your vehicle and close windows/vents. Do NOT use the car’s air unit unless you can recirculate the air inside. As you drive, tune into a local Emergency Alert Station.
      • Main campus students and employees with their own transportation will be released to the reception center identified for Sector C-2, the Greenville Convention Center, or the reception center that their home is assigned to.
      • Students and employees who have no personal transportation will report to Strom Thurmond Institute, 230 Kappa Street. Clemson University staff will brief these individuals and assign them to specific mass transit vehicles.
        • Individuals will be transported to the Anderson Civic Center located at: 3027 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Anderson, SC 29625, or alternate location if the situation dictates. The Anderson Civic Center will serve as a Reception Center for these individuals. They will be provided assistance to go home or with other accommodations outside the EPZ, to the extent possible.
        • A Clemson University representative will assist these individuals at the designated location.


AFTER

  • Follow the evacuation route to the designated reception center or shelter. If you are not instructed to evacuate, stay off the roads to allow emergency personnel to readily respond.
  • Go to the designated reception center, even if you do not plan to stay there.
    • These facilities provide guidance on registration, radiological monitoring and decontamination, assistance in contacting others, directions to congregate care centers, reuniting of families and other information needed in an evacuation. Congregate care centers provide shelter, food, water, showers/toilets and emergency medical assistance and are typically managed by service organizations such as American Red Cross.

For more information and to find your zone, visit Duke Energy's website for safety and preparedness for Oconee Nuclear Station.