Turkey Point Nuked Out
The Turkey Point nuclear plant in Florida closed down all five reactors today. Some reports claim the problem started with the nuclear plant and spread into the local grid, while others say the local grid had a problem and the nuclear plant went into automatic shut-down in response, as a safety precaution. Within a few hours three of the five reactors are back online.
Whichever way the trouble flowed, it is no big deal — there was no meltdown or breach or anything dramatic. So a couple hundred thousand Floridians are without power — it’s winter time, it is not as if they really need their air-conditioners.
This is another little reminder, however, of how intertwined modern systems are — a minor problem in one can cascade into bigger things. You should always be prepared to go without electricity, gas, food or water for several days. Do you have enough stored away to get you through? I’m not talking about survivalist, eat the poodle type stuff, just a few days to a week’s supply of basics, in case an earthquake, flood, tornado, volcano or man-made disaster comes your way. It happens to thousands around the world every day, and no place is totally immune. It can happen to you, so be prepared like a good boyscout.