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Taking Protective Action

If You Are Asked To Take Shelter

  • Stay indoors, either inside your home or in a nearby building. Do not leave unless told to evacuate by Matagorda County emergency management officials.
  • Listen to the official news broadcasts on radio stations Local EAS Radio Station, FM 92.5, or NOAA radio.
  • Close all windows, doors and fireplace dampers. This limits outside air from entering your home.
  • Turn off any heating or cooling system that draws in air from the outside. Use portable fans or ceiling fans to circulate the air inside.
  • If you must go outside, cover your mouth and nose with a damp cloth, and limit your time outside.

If You Are Asked To Evacuate

  • Stay calm. If the incident is a nuclear power plant event, you will have time to take necessary action.
  • Gather what you and your family will need. You may have to be away from home several days.
  • Limit telephone use to emergencies only.
  • Check on your family and buddy. See if your family, buddy, neighbors, and older or disabled friends need assistance. Be sure family members and your buddy have the name, address, and phone number of your "check-in" contact.
  • If you need help evacuating, call the Matagorda County Sheriff's Office. Place the orange "Assistance Needed"sign in a front window or tape it to your front door. This sign is located in the back of this section. Turn on your porch light so emergency workers can see the sign, unless you have been instructed to turn off your electricity.
  • If you do not need assistance, place the green "We Have Been Notified" sign in a front window or tape it to your front door before you leave home. This will let law enforcement officials know you have received word of the incident and that you are taking appropriate actions. The green sign is located in the back of this section. Turn on your porch light so emergency workers can see the sign, unless you have been instructed to turn off your electricity.
  • Do not worry while you are away. Roadblocks will control access to the areas that have been evacuated.
  • Report to the designated reception center, if directed to do so by county officials.

Plans Made For School Children

Early Release

At the "Alert" level (see description here ), as a precaution, children will be released to their parents from schools located within a 10-mile radius of the nuclear power plant (Matagorda Elementary, Tidehaven High School, and Tidehaven Junior High School). Parents should pick up their children at their regular schools if recommended by county officials. Schools will attempt to notify parents/guardians of the early release if the decision is made to do so. Parents may also receive information through the emergency alert system (EAS) on FM 92.5, or NOAA radio.

School Evacuation

As a precaution, at the "Site Area Emergency" level, schools will be evacuated, if appropriate. If evacuated, the students will be taken to one of the following host schools:

  • Matagorda Elementary students will be taken to Linnie Roberts Elementary School in Bay City, 4100 Hiram Brandon Drive.     
  • Tidehaven Junior High and High School students will be taken to their respective elementary schools in Blessing 139 FM 616; or Markham, 200 East Sixth Street.

If a school evacuation occurs, parents will be notified through official radio broadcasts. Children will remain under adult supervision at the host school until picked up by a parent.

Reporting To A Reception Center

If you are asked to evacuate, you may be directed to report to a reception center, either:

  • MRMC Wellness and Rehab Center in Bay City OR
  • Palacios High School Field House in Palacios

If the evacuation is due to an incident at the nuclear plant, you may be checked for possible radiation contamination upon arrival at the Reception Center. After being checked and registered, you may go to an American Red Cross shelter, a hotel, or the home of a friend or relative who lives outside the affected area. Firearms, pets and alcoholic beverages will not be allowed in reception centers or shelters, however, pets can be taken care of outside STP Reception Centers for a short period of time.

Here is a map showing the nuclear plant's 10-mile radius. Locate where you live and mark your evacuation routes to MRMC Wellness and Rehab Center in Bay City (135 Medical Center Dr, Bay City, TX 77414) and to Palacios High School Field House (on Hornet Drive at State Highway 35 ).