Radiological Emergency at Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant

In Monroe County, Ocean Reef, Key Largo Anglers Club, and Card Sound Road residents and visitors could be affected in the unlikely event of an accident at the Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant, owned and operated by Florida Light & Power (FPL). This is Area 10 in the Emergency Planning Zone.

FPL Turkey Point Nuclear Plant Important Information Website

Monroe County Emergency Management is authorized for IPAWS (Integrated Public Alert & Warning System) which allows for geographically targeted notifications via Everbridge. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) sends a short text message to television and audio message to radio and the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system pushes the message to landlines and cell phones in the area. In the event of an incident at Turkey Point, everyone in the 10-mile EPZ zone will receive emergency protective actions on their cell phones. Non-Weather Emergency Messages will be broadcast on NOAA weather radios. In addition, a siren adjacent to Alabama Jacks Restaurant alerting the public of an emergency at Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant, public safety officials in the Monroe County 10-mile EPZ will make announcements via loudspeakers informing residents and visitors to tune into local media for information.

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Zones and Areas

Ocean Reef, Card Sound Road, and Key Largo Anglers Club residents and visitors are in Area 10 in the Emergency Planning Zone.

Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ)

Extends 10 miles from the nuclear power plant.
Exposure can be through direct contact with or inhalation of radioactive particles released in a plume.
The 10-mile area around the plant has been divided into evacuation and sheltering areas. These areas were established to allow local officials to provide clear evacuation and/or sheltering information for people in each area.
If there was an accident at Turkey Point, it is not likely everyone within 10 miles would be affected. The area affected would depend on weather conditions, such as wind speed, wind direction, and the severity of the situation. Monitor news channels, the radio, and this page for information.
Annually, FPL sends an information flyer to all residents and businesses within the 10-mile EPZ with important emergency information and directing them to FPL’s “Important information for nuclear plant neighbors” website

Ingestion Pathway Zone (IPZ)

Extends 50 miles from the nuclear power plant.
Exposure can be through the consumption of contaminated agricultural and dairy products.

Radiological Emergency Preparedness

In 1979, following Pennsylvania's Three Mile Island nuclear power plant accident, the federal lead role in offsite radiological emergency planning and preparedness activities were transferred from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

FEMA established the Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP) Program to:

Ensure the health and safety of citizens living around commercial nuclear power plants would be adequately protected in the event of a nuclear power plant accident.
Inform and educate the public about radiological emergency preparedness.

REP Program responsibilities encompass only offsite activities, which include emergency planning and preparedness activities that take place beyond the nuclear power plant boundaries. Onsite activities continue to be the responsibility of the NRC.