Gulf Coast Nuclear Plants Shut Down Ahead of Hurricane Katrina

Off the Reuters wire:

The Waterford nuclear power plant near New Orleans shut down in advance of fierce Hurricane Katrina heading toward the low-lying Gulf Coast city, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission said on Sunday.

The NRC said Waterford, about 20 miles (32 km) west of New Orleans, took the step to ensure all safety precautions were in place before the storm, which is expected to come ashore around sunrise on Monday.

It said the plant's main concern beyond winds was the storm surge, last predicted to approach the top of an 18-foot (5-metre) levee on the Mississippi River.

The agency said it sent additional personnel to Waterford as well as the River Bend plant 25 miles (40 km) north-northwest of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and the Grand Gulf plant 25 miles (40 km) south of Vicksburg, Mississippi.

The three plants are owned by Entergy Nuclear.

As you might imagine, our thoughts are with everyone on the Gulf Coast, including our friends at Entergy and their families.

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