Sarpy County Hazard Analysis

Nuclear Power Plant Incident

A serious incident or accident at a nuclear power plant could result in a radioactive release affecting the general public and contaminating the food chain.

History - Rating: Low

There are no recorded incidents involving nuclear power plant releases affecting Sarpy County. Sarpy County lies within the 50-mile emergency planning zone (EPZ) of Fort Calhoun Nuclear Power Plant.

Vulnerability - Rating: Medium

A serious accident at the Fort Calhoun nuclear facility might result in a radioactive release. A release might also contaminate the human food chain within a 50 mile radius of the facility. The 50-mile EPZ includes all of Sarpy County.

Maximum Threat - Rating: High

The most severe power plant incident would be a meltdown of the core at Fort Calhoun Nuclear Power Plant. An offsite release would cause evacuation of the Washington County area. Sarpy County is a host county for the Washington County area. The reception of evacuees could cause considerable problems for Sarpy County.

Probability - Rating: Low

Only one major accident has occurred in the United States since commercial operations began in 1957. Changes in operator training, operations procedures, equipment and design modifications subsequent to the Three Mile Island accident have reduced the likelihood of compounding errors.

General Comments:

Primary effects of a nuclear power plant incident could be death and injury, explosion, fire and power failures. Secondary events include pollution, hazardous materials incidents, water supply contamination, radiation, and reception of evacuees.

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Created January 28, 1997

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