Nuclear alert tests return to Clarington and Pickering today

Nuclear plants in Clarington and Pickering are holding their annual alert testing today.

Durham Region announced that the tests are scheduled to be held this morning (Oct. 30).

The tests activate the nearby emergency sirens to warn of a nuclear incident. These tests only ensure the system is working and can safely be ignored on those days.

However, in the highly unlikely event of a real nuclear emergency, the alerts are residents’ cue to hunker down at home and await further information from official sources.

🚨TEST🚨: #DurhamRegion is testing the nuclear public alerting system today (October 29) and tomorrow (October 30). Today’s test is for landline phones ☎️ within 10 kilometres of the nuclear generating stations in @ClaringtonON and @CityOfPickering. https://t.co/ztjUvDkzZO. pic.twitter.com/4GGOcfitU1

— Region of Durham (@RegionofDurham) October 29, 2024

The warnings come in two forms: a loud siren near the plants and a phone call.

The calls normally go to landlines via Durham Region officials while provincial representatives handle the cellular alert network.

When residents hear sirens, the system is designed to sound steadily for at least three minutes, while the landline phone network alerts households in tandem with the sound.

Today’s tests are scheduled to impact households within 10 km of the nuclear-generating facilities in both Clarington and Pickering.

For more information, visit the Region of Durham’s official website.