HOW WILL I KNOW?

If there is a radiological emergency at the Columbia Generating Station (CGS) or the Hanford site, nearby residents would be warned in a number of ways.

Sirens - People on or near the Columbia and Yakima Rivers will hear sirens sound continuously for three minutes or longer, followed by an audible message. These sirens are a signal for people using the rivers to evacuate and tune to the Emergency Alert System Radio Station KONA 105.3 FM or 610 AM, KORD 102.7 FM, or KZHR 92.5 FM for more information.

People using the Horn Rapids Off-Road Vehicle Park, the Horn Rapids County Park and the Rattlesnake Mountain Shooting Facility would be notified by sirens sounding continuously for three minutes, followed by an audible message. They would be told to evacuate the area and tune their radios to KONA 105.3 FM or 610 AM, KORD 102.7 FM, or KZHR 92.5 FM.

Warnings by Boat - Personnel and boats provided by the U.S. Coast Guard and County Sheriffs' Department may also warn people to evacuate the river.

• If there has been no radiological release, boaters will be advised to return to their launch points.

• If there has been a radiological release, boaters will be instructed to proceed to a monitoring station. Boaters would then receive further instructions from emergency officials.

Additional notification will be made by the Coast Guard via an Urgent Marine Information broadcast on Marine Band Channel 16.

Tone Alert Radios - Residents within the EPZ in Benton County with special needs may have an Emergency Tone Alert Radio. These radios would be turned on automatically by a signal transmitted just before an EAS message is broadcast. If you have special needs and live within one of the CGS or Hanford EPZ and do not have a tone alert radio or have questions regarding their use, call us at 509-628-2600.

Broadcast Messages - People in Benton County would be notified by an EAS message on commercial broadcasting radio and TV stations. Residents should monitor KONA 105.3 FM or 610 AM, KORD 102.7 FM, or KZHR 92.5 FM for more information.

WHAT DO I DO?

Listen to emergency instructions carefully. Keep your radio tuned to radio station KONA 105.3 FM or 610 AM, KORD 102.7 FM, or KZHR 92.5 FM. If you live within the Emergency Planning Zones, you may be asked to take action during an emergency.

If Asked to Take Shelter:

• Remain in your home
• Close and lock all doors and windows
• Close anything that might bring air in from the outside, such as heating and cooling systems, fireplace dampers, range fans, bathroom vents or clothing dryers
• Use phones only for personal emergency
• Keep pets inside
• If you must go outside, cover your nose and mouth with a wet cloth
• Listen to KONA 105.3 FM or 610 AM, KORD 102.7 FM, or KZHR 92.5 FM for further instructions
• Start planning for a possible evacuation 

If Asked to Evacuate:

• Listen to the instructions carefully. Make sure your location is an area being evacuated before you follow the next steps
• Keep phones free for emergency use. Talk to your neighbors to make sure they have heard the emergency notification instructions
• Take emergency supplies with you. You should plan to be away from home for at least 72 hours
• Turn off stoves, space heaters and heating and air conditioning
• Take your pets with you, however, the assistance centers can only accommodate service animals.  Plan to make arrangements to feed and house your pets
• Lock all doors and windows
• Drive away from the nuclear facility
• Stay tuned to your radio, drive carefully and remain calm
• Register at the Assistance Center, so friends and relatives can locate you
  
  • The Assistance Centers may be located at:
    • Columbia Basin College 2600 North 20th, Pasco, WA 99301
    • Southridge High School 3520 Southridge Blvd, Kennewick, WA 99338
    • Assistance center locations may change.  Please listen to KONA 105.3 FM or 610 AM, KORD 102.7 FM, or KZHR 92.5 FM for current locations. 

WHAT ARE YOUR EVACUATION ROUTES?