Nuclear power plant closed, Latest World News - The New Paper
World

Nuclear power plant closed

This article is more than 12 months old

FLORIDA: Hurricane Irma will pose the toughest test yet for US nuclear power plants since reactors strengthened their defences against natural disasters after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident in Japan in 2011.

Florida Power & Light (FPL) said it had shut a reactor at Turkey Point on Saturday but will leave another unit at the nuclear plant in South Florida operating after Hurricane Irma's forecast track shifted towards the west and away from the plant.

FPL also said it no longer plans to shut the two reactors at St Lucie plant on the state's east coast about 193km from Miami.

FPL said Turkey Point and St Lucie were designed to withstand storms stronger than any ever recorded in the region and are elevated to protect against flooding and storm surges.

South Miami Mayor Philip Stoddard was concerned about the potential for floods to damage the power generators at Turkey Point. But an FPL spokesman said the plant was "safe and ready for Hurricane Irma".- REUTERS

Weatherfloodsunited states