Information for Visitors
Welcome to the Somervell/Hood County area, home to several excellent parks and lakes, as well as many fine stores and restaurants. We hope you’ll thoroughly enjoy your stay here and return often to the warm hospitality this area is so very proud.
Your safety is extremely important to local officials and the operators of the nearby plant. While it is unlikely that a problem at the plant would affect you or your family, you need to be familiar with the information provided in this website.
We suggest that you print this information and keep it in a convenient place, such as the glove compartment of your car, during your stay.
Important Things to Remember
If there is a problem at the Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant, an emergency siren system may be activated by officials of Somervell and Hood Counties to alert people within 10 miles of the plant. The sirens may also be used for dangerous weather or civil defense emergencies.*
If you hear the sirens, tune to the Emergency Alert System (EAS) (radio station WBAP, 820 or local station broadcasting in Spanish) for information.
If you hear a siren tune to the EAS system. If no instructions are being broadcast, call the sheriff’s office (254/897-2242 in Somervell County or 817-579-3307 in Hood County.)
* To help ensure their reliability, the sirens are tested at noon on the first and third Monday of each month, except major holidays.
Other important telephone numbers include:
Comanche Peak Plant Public Information, 254-897-5554.
Division of Emergency Management, Texas Department of Public Safety, Austin, 512-424-2138 (8 am-5 pm, Monday-Friday) or 512-424-2277 (24 hours).
Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Austin, 512-834-6688 (8 am-5 pm, Monday-Friday) or 512-458-7460 (24 hours).
If You’re Asked to Shelter-In-Place
-
- Go inside, close all windows and doors
- Turn off your heating, or cooling systems or fans IF they pull in outside air.
- Listen to the EAS system (radio station WBAP, 820 AM).
- Stay inside until officials say it is safe to go out.
- If you’re in your car roll up all the windows and close the vent from outside air.
If You’re Asked to Leave the Area
- Stay calm, you will have plenty of time to leave.
- Listen to the EAS system (radio stations WBAP, 820 AM )). You will be provided with the important information.
- Keep your car’s vents and windows closed while driving within 10 miles of the plant. If you use your car air conditioning, set it on “inside” or “maximum” so it does not pull in outside air.
- Refer to the maps on this website for evacuation routes and relocation centers. Report to one of the two reception centers as directed by the official information on WBAP, 820 AM. Upon arrival at the center you may be checked for possible radioactive contamination.
- Firearms and alcoholic beverages will not be allowed in the centers.