Nuclear safety
- Sirens or loudspeakers used by police and fire agencies. There are 131 sirens located in Protective Action Zones 1-12, stretching from Cayucos in the north to Nipomo Mesa in the south.
- Emergency Notification System messages sent via local radio and television stations
- Reverse 9-1-1 telephone recordings sent automatically to your landline phone, and to your mobile phone if you have registered that number with the agency
- Social media posts
- Marine Channel 16, if you are at sea
Listen for sirens
Call for help or more information needed
Call for emergency services only if you need immediate, lifesaving help:
- If you need urgent medical, fire or police help, call 9-1-1.
- If you urgently need information or assistance during an evacuation, call 805-543-2444. (The County Office of Emergency Services activates this line when there is an emergency that affects a large number of people in the county.)
Find your evacuation route
U.S. Highway 101 and State Highway 1 are the primary evacuation routes. State highways and local roads can be used to reach U.S. Highway 101 and State Highway 1. Law enforcement will direct traffic along these routes. The Emergency Planning Zone Map (see below) shows the primary evacuation routes. Local radio and television stations will provide information about evacuation routes.
Remember: Do not leave the area unless you are told to do so over the Emergency Notification System.
Types of events range in severity
Unusual Event
A plant-related condition that does not require any emergency action by the general public or government authorities. An unplanned event has taken place, or a security threat may have occurred. No risk to public health and safety.Alert
A plant safety system has been damaged or may have been damaged, or a security event may have occurred. Involves risk to site personnel or damage to site equipment.Site Area Emergency
A radiological release may be expected to occur or has occurred, or a security event may have taken place that involves a malicious act toward site personnel or intentional damage to equipment that could lead to its failure, or prevents effective access to equipment needed for the protection of the public. The release would not be expected to exceed federal exposure limits beyond the plant site boundary, an area about 100 yards from the power plant.- General EmergencyA significant release of radioactivity has occurred or may occur, or a security event may have taken place that results in an actual loss of physical control of the facility. Protective actions may be required in several of the Protective Action Zones.
Public safety organizations use Reverse 911 in an emergency to send recorded voice messages to landline telephones and registered cellphones within a defined geographical area. Landline telephones are automatically included in the Reverse 911 system. Mobile phones must be registered.
The Emergency Planning Zone surrounding the Diablo Canyon Power Plant is divided into 12 Protective Action Zones (PAZs). These zones are used to help organize emergency planning and response actions specific to the zones involved. You can prepare by learning what PAZ you live and work in, and how you would evacuate in case of emergency. If you have school-age children, make sure you know which Protective Action Zone their school is in.