Reporting To A Reception Center
If you are asked to evacuate, you may be directed to report to a reception
center, either:
MRMC Wellness & 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
inside reception centers or shelters, however, pets can be taken care of
outside STP Reception Centers for a short period of time.
On Page 6 is a map showing the nuclear plant's 10-mile radius. Locate where
you live and mark your evacuation routes to MRMC Wellness & 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).
Early Evacuation
During an emergency, public
areas such the beaches and parks may be closed or evacuated early. Law
enforcement officers can then assist with other community needs. For a nuclear
power plant event, this occurs at the Site Area Emergency level. Announcements
of early evacuation of public areas are made over local EAS Station, FM 92.5, and NOAA
radio.
Protect Your Livestock
-Livestock
must be left on your ranch. Before you leave, be sure your livestock has enough
food and water for a few days. Stored feed is best.
-If an evacuation
recommendation/order is already in effect, LEAVE IMMEDIATELY. Do not take the
time to leave food and water for your livestock. You will be allowed through
road blocks after the incident is over to take care of your
livestock.
-Animals used for milking should be sheltered and given stored
feed because contamination eaten by a dairy animal may be concentrated in its
milk.
-If you are in an affected area, milk samples may be taken from your
animals. This will indicate whether the milk is safe to drink.
Protect Your
Crops
-An unharvested crop is hard to protect. However, normal harvesting
and processing may still be possible.
-Crops already harvested will be safer
if stored inside.
-Before eating local crops, fruits and vegetables, please
contact the Matagorda County Extension Office at (979)
245-4100.
Care For Your Pets
-Pets most
likely cannot survive on their own, and if they do, you may not be able to find
them when you return. Therefore, it is recommended you take your pet with
you if you evacuate. Deciding in advance what to do with your pet during an
emergency can save its life.
-Even though pets and other animals are not
allowed in public reception centers for public health reasons, help will be
available to you at the Matagorda County Reception Center to care for your pet.
And since there are few shelters that accept pets, it is important for you to
make evacuation plans that include your pets as you put together your family
plan. The Rio Colorado Chapter of the American Red Cross can help you with a
list of hotels/motels that allow pets.
-Pets may be boarded with local
veterinarians and boarding facilities. Pet owners will be responsible for
boarding fees.
-When evacuating with a pet, be sure to take a leash, cage,
and a way to tie your pet outside.
-Bring an adequate supply of food and
water, medications, litter and litter box, water and feed bowls, can opener,
veterinarian’s name and telephone number, pet toys and bed, and current pet
identification and registration/vaccination records.
-If you leave your pet
at home, be sure it has adequate food and water for a few days.
As You Leave Home, Remember
-For natural disasters, switch off water, gas and electricity at the main
source.
-During a nuclear power plant event, leave your refrigerator and
freezer on.
-Turn off the lights and any unnecessary appliances.
-Lock
your home.
-In leaving your home due to a nuclear plant or chemical plant
event, keep the windows in your car closed and the air on recirculation.
For
further information about assuring your pet’s well being during an emergency see
the American Red Cross website at www.redcross.org, Disaster Services, Be
Prepared, Animal Safety.
Evacuation
Expenses
If Matagorda County officials recommend evacuation
during a nuclear power plant event, insurance may be available to help pay your
evacuation expenses. County officials authorized to make protective action
(evacuation) recommendations are the county judge, precinct commissioners or
mayors. Representatives of the insurance group will be available within 24 hours
to assist you with expenses. American Nuclear Insurers (ANI) will notify you by
radio and/or newspaper about location(s) where you may file a claim. You should
keep a record and receipts of all expenses you incur because of the recommended
evacuation.
Recommended Items To Take With You:
-This
telephone book
-Water - at least a three day supply of 1 gallon/person/day
-Ready-to-eat food, enough for three days (food that will not spoil and
does not need to be cooked or heated)
-Extra clothing
-Checkbook, credit
cards, cash, and legal records (insurance, household inventory, tax records,
insurance records, wills, stocks, bonds and deeds, passports, social security
cards, bank account numbers, credit card numbers and companies, family records).
Note: ATMs may be inaccessible in time of disaster.
-Proper identification,
including evidence of your physical address (e.g. electric
bill)
-Eyeglasses, dentures, prescription drugs and non-prescription
drugs
-Baby and pet supplies (bottles, formula, diapers, food,
toys)
-Portable radio, a flashlight, and batteries (checked for
freshness)
-First aid supplies and face masks for chemical events (available
at hardware stores)
-Tools and supplies (manual can opener, tape, pliers,
matches, aluminum foil, maps, pens, paper, eating utensils, plates, cups,
plastic storage containers, whistle, etc.)
-Sanitation and personal hygiene
items (toilet paper, disinfectant soap, feminine products, plastic garbage bags,
chlorine bleach, etc.)
-Bedding for each person
-Entertainment items
(books, games, playing cards, etc.)
-Special items (extra set of house and
car keys, address book, etc.)