Beachgoers depart Hampton Beach on Tuesday after an emergency siren was inadvertently activated in Hampton, N.H. Wilson Ring/Associated Press
CONCORD, N.H. — New Hampshire homeland security officials said Tuesday that a siren was inadvertently activated at the Seabrook Nuclear Power Station, and that there is no emergency and no danger to the public.
The state Homeland Security and Emergency Management agency and plant owner NextEra Energy Resources put out statements more than 30 minutes after beachgoers in nearby Hampton and Rye said they heard announcements at about 11 a.m. about the beaches being closed because of a problem at the plant.
“We are aware of the sirens calling for an evacuation near Seabrook Station,” said Bill Orlove, a spokesperson for plant. “The sirens’ activation was sent in error during testing of the system.
“Local authorities have told the public there is no need to evacuate,” he said. “Seabrook Station is currently operating with no issues that impact the nearby community. We apologize for the inconvenience this may have caused.”
Police and fire departments in the area said the beaches were not closed.
“The Seabrook Station Alert was inadvertent there is NO EMERGENCY,” the Hampton Fire Department posted on Facebook.
The plant is about 40 miles north of Boston and 10 miles south of Portsmouth. It has operated since 1990.
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