What’s that sound? Arizona’s Palo Verde nuclear plant testing its emergency siren system

PHOENIX – If you hear sirens going off in the far West Valley on Wednesday, don’t worry. It’s only a test of the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station emergency warning system.

The system’s 70 sirens will blare twice for about three minutes, once at noon and again at 12:30 p.m., according to Maricopa County Emergency Management.

Palo Verde Generating Station Siren and Wireless Emergency Alert Testing November 20 for 10 mile radius around PVGS: Sirens 12 and 12:30 PM, Opt-In WEA test 12:15 Info at https://t.co/TsCujXbMYV pic.twitter.com/AoZD7jjFnA

— Maricopa County Dept of Emergency Mgmt (@MaricopaReady) November 18, 2024

The sirens are situated within a 10-mile radius of the power plant, which is located at Baseline and Wintersburg roads, about 55 miles west of downtown Phoenix between Buckeye and Tonapah.

In addition to the siren test, a Wireless Emergency Alert will be triggered on cellphones that have opted in to receive test alerts at 12:15 p.m. The message will read: “This is a test of Maricopa County Wireless Emergency Alert system. No action is required.”

In the unlikely event that an actual emergency occurs at the same time the tests are scheduled, alerts would be sent that direct people to tune to their TVs or radios for more instructions.

What is the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station?

The Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station is the most productive generating station in the United States, creating enough electricity to power more than 4 million homes and businesses.

Arizona Public Service operates the plant, which produces electricity for parts of Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas.

Testing of the power plant’s emergency alert system is required by federal regulators.

More information about emergency preparedness in metro Phoenix can be found at the Maricopa County Emergency Management website.

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