Do you live near a nuclear power plant? Options

[mipadi]

I learned something today: I now live within 10 miles of a nuclear power plant. The Surry Nuclear Power Station, to be exact. This places me within the plant's Protective Action Zone (PAZ), which means that in the event of a catastrophe, I am highly advised to evacuate immediately. Otherwise, I'll either (a) become toast, or (b) develop amazing superhuman powers.

I know this because I received a handy calendar in the mail today (well, technically yesterday, but I just got the mail today). But wait -- it's not just a calendar, but also an instruction manual on what to do in the event of an emergency. It's chock-full of phone numbers, directions, and evacuation routes. I also have a nice yellow card I can place in my window that basically says, "I'm aware of the emergency and have evacuated safely." (There's also a more ominous orange card that basically says, "I have been unable to evacuate, please save me!" But I guess that's for the losers who don't develop superpowers as a result of a meltdown.) I also found out that I am eligible to receive free potassium iodide tablets, which will protect my thyroid glands from radiation if necessary. They don't sound yummy.

It's all pretty fascinating. I've lived near nuclear reactors before, including just forty-five minutes north of the infamous Three Mile Island nuclear power plant, but apparently I've never lived within ten miles of one.

[only-tuesdays]

Weren't a lot of evacuation policies changed as far as pets are concerned after Katrina?