Nuclear power plant near Phoenix to test sirens, phone alerts Wednesday
Dec 2, 2020, 4:05 AM | Updated: 9:22 am
(Arizona Public Service Photo)
(Arizona Public Service Photo)
PHOENIX – Maricopa County, state and local officials said the nuclear power plant operating near Phoenix will test its emergency alert system Wednesday.
Sirens will blast from Palo Verde Generating Station outside of Wintersburg at noon and 12:30 p.m., the county said in a press release. A third test for the county’s wireless emergency alert system was scheduled at 12:15 p.m.
The 70 sirens will be audible within a 10-miles radius of the plant for about three minutes. Meanwhile only cellphones that have enabled the wireless emergency alert will go off for the other test, the county’s Office of Emergency Management explained in a letter to affected areas.
Cities warned of the siren test include Buckeye, Goodyear, Peoria, Surprise and Tonopah.
The phone alert’s message will read, “This is a test of Maricopa County Wireless Emergency Alert system. No action is required.”
In the unlikely event an actual emergency notification is sent around the same time the tests are scheduled, the message should direct people to turn on their radios or TVs for further instructions.
The facility, one of the country’s largest power producers, is about 45 minutes west of downtown Phoenix. Arizona Public Service operates the station.
