St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant - any news?

[Florida_brit]

I know all nuclear facilities are meant to be tornado proof....any news on St Lucie Plant? It was aboiut 5miles from direct landfall point. Its on Hutchison Island which is low lying and divides Jensen beach and the sea via the Intercoastal waterway.

It just been through the high tide time at Jensen at 2am....nb storm surge!

Thanks

[CaluWxBill]

I know all nuclear facilities are meant to be tornado proof....any news on St Lucie Plant? It was aboiut 5miles from direct landfall point. Its on Hutchison Island which is low lying and divides Jensen beach and the sea via the Intercoastal waterway.

It just been through the high tide time at Jensen at 2am....nb storm surge!

Thanks

How big is this island? that seems like an unfortunate spot for a Nuclear Power Plant. They probably have good protections against erosion. atleast I hope.

[logybogy]

I wouldn't worry about the nuclear power plant. Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant took a direct hit from hurricane Andrew in Homestead and fared fairly well. Substantial damage to outside structures, but the containment system held up like it was designed to.

[Florida_brit]

The guy whose handle is "BPJR051" works for Martin Country's EOC...he mentioned information regarding its protection.

But just wanted to find out any info.....you never know how high the storm surge is and the winds! Hutinson's Island isn't that wide.

Guess I will just have to wait and see....

[dennis1x1]

the surge was only a few feet...im sure based on its location that its situated to take on a 30 ft surge.

[BPJR051]

Both reactors are off line as per FPL policy during a hurricane. No problem with surge there. No report on damage there yet.

[Brent]

If that nuclear plant can't handle a Category Two Hurricane we're all doomed.

They probably have dunes to protect it(like hotels do).

[borderPatrol2329]

The plant will likely have sustained little or no damage. Remember, it is some 1,000 feet away from the ocean, set somewhat out into the Indian River. I was the one who first posted concerns about this plant. That was a few days ago when Frances was a strong CAT-4 that showed signs that it might have gone CAT-5. At that time there were several people in the Stuart area that were debating riding this storm out. My reference was to some concerns from five years ago whether the plant could withstand sustained winds in excess of 180mph. Firstly, there has only been one, perhaps two, hurricanes in all of recorded history to strike the continental US with those kind of sustained winds. In five years I am sure they did additional engineering studies, and would have put in place additional procedures. Engineers have the annoying habit of way overdesigning.

The reason I brought it up was to illustrate how foolish it would be to try to ride out this storm in a house if such strong structure could possibly be at risk. Unfortunately, I hadn't anticipated conjuring up images of the 'China Syndrome'. Quite frankly, I felt terrible, but decided the best course of action at that point would be to keep quite and not draw anymore attention to it. I had only hoped to discourage people from riding this out in their homes, not have them think that the plant was poorly built. My sincerest apology to all, especially the FPL.

[borderPatrol2329]

The official word.

http://www.thewpbfchannel.com/news/3708123/detail.html