Chances are good you’re going to hear the Cook Plant sirens a lot over the next three weeks…just keep in mind…it’s only a test. Actually, a whole series of tests.
Cook Nuclear Plant spokesman Bill Downey from Indiana Michigan Power tells us that they will conduct separate tests on each of the 70 early warning sirens near the Cook Nuclear Plant during the next three weeks, beginning this coming Monday, September 16th. The sirens are within a 10-mile radius of the plant and would be activated by the Berrien County Emergency Management Department to alert the public to emergency situations. This could include severe weather, industrial or transportation chemical spills or activation of the Cook Nuclear Plant emergency plan.
Unlike the annual spring test where all sirens run simultaneously, this testing involves sounding each siren individually three to four times for about 30 seconds to obtain readings and make adjustments to ensure proper coverage and reliability. Annual preventive maintenance and battery checks will also be performed.
Testing will be suspended during severe weather conditions to avoid confusion with an actual emergency. In the event of an actual emergency, early warning sirens are all sounded continuously for three minutes.
During the weeks of September 16th, September 23rd and September 30th, 2019, the sirens will be tested individually, with testing expected to take place in various locations Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm during the three-week testing period.
If you have questions or would like a copy of the emergency information calendar, visit online at www.cookinfo.com, email cookinfo@aep.com or visit the Cook Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/CookNuclear.
Also, for your protection, please report non-working sirens right away. If you note a problem with a siren near your home, call the Berrien County Emergency Management Office at 269-983-7111 x4915.
The Cook Nuclear Plant is owned and operated by Indiana Michigan Power, headquartered in Fort Wayne. At full capacity, the 1,084-net MW Unit 1 and 1,194-net MW Unit 2 combined produce enough electricity for more than one and one half million average homes. Indiana Michigan Power is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Electric Power, one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity and custom energy solutions to nearly 5.4 million customers in 11 states.
