Ft. Calhoun Nuclear Plant Meltdown, News Blackout
Online rumors claim U.S. authorities have instituted a 'news blackout' regarding what is described as a 'near catastrophic meltdown' due to flooding at the Ft. Calhoun Nuclear Plant in Nebraska.
Description: Online rumors
Circulating since: June 2011
Status: False
Example #1:
As posted on Facebook, June 22, 2011:
Example #2:
As circulated via Twitter, June 22, 2011:
Example #3:
As circulated via Twitter, June 22, 2011:
Analysis: As of mid-June 2011, steadily rising floodwaters from the Missouri River had surrounded the Fort Calhoun Nuclear Power Plant some 19 miles outside Omaha, Nebraska, but both local and federal authorities say the reactor, which was shut down last April, is well protected and in no imminent danger of a meltdown or other catastrophic event. Officials are monitoring it closely.
Nor is a "news blackout" in effect. Officials of the Omaha Public Power District have issued frequent statements to the press and posted regular updates on the OPPD Storm and Flood Blog since late May.
Contrary to reports that Fort Calhoun Station is on "Level 4 Alert," as of this writing (June 23) the plant remains under the least serious of the four emergency classifications set by the U.S.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, namely a "Notification of Unusual Event" issued June 6 after the Missouri River was projected to reach 1,004 feet above sea level (the elevation of Fort Calhoun).
According to a statement on the OPPD website, "The reactor and spent-fuel pool are in a normal, stable condition and are both protected; there has been no release of radioactivity and none is expected."
As to reports of a "no fly zone" instituted over the plant, there has been an FAA-issued NOTAM ("Notice to Airmen") restricting the airspace over all U.S. nuclear plants since September 11, 2001, with a precautionary "tightening" in the vicinity of Fort Calhoun since June 6. Officials say it has nothing to do with a supposed "meltdown" or purported release of radioactivity.
June 23 update: Q&A with NPPD, OPPD
Sources and further reading:
Last updated 06/23/11
Description: Online rumors
Circulating since: June 2011
Status: False
Example #1:
As posted on Facebook, June 22, 2011:
US Orders News Blackout Over Crippled Nebraska Nuclear Plant
A shocking report prepared by Russia’s Federal Atomic Energy Agency (FAAE) on information provided to them by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) states that the Obama regime has ordered a "total and complete" news blackout relating to any information regarding the near catastrophic meltdown of the Fort Calhoun Nuclear Power Plant located in Nebraska.
Example #2:
As circulated via Twitter, June 22, 2011:
Obama ordered a complete news blackout on the Calhoun Nucler Plant level 4 meltdown in Nebraska. Flights over the plant are banned.
Example #3:
As circulated via Twitter, June 22, 2011:
NO FLY ZONE OVER NEBRASKA FT. CALHOUN NUCLEAR PLANT. WHY??? NEWS BLACKOUT. BASTARDS. DON'T SCARE THE PUBLIC, MY A_S.
Analysis: As of mid-June 2011, steadily rising floodwaters from the Missouri River had surrounded the Fort Calhoun Nuclear Power Plant some 19 miles outside Omaha, Nebraska, but both local and federal authorities say the reactor, which was shut down last April, is well protected and in no imminent danger of a meltdown or other catastrophic event. Officials are monitoring it closely.
Nor is a "news blackout" in effect. Officials of the Omaha Public Power District have issued frequent statements to the press and posted regular updates on the OPPD Storm and Flood Blog since late May.
Contrary to reports that Fort Calhoun Station is on "Level 4 Alert," as of this writing (June 23) the plant remains under the least serious of the four emergency classifications set by the U.S.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, namely a "Notification of Unusual Event" issued June 6 after the Missouri River was projected to reach 1,004 feet above sea level (the elevation of Fort Calhoun).
According to a statement on the OPPD website, "The reactor and spent-fuel pool are in a normal, stable condition and are both protected; there has been no release of radioactivity and none is expected."
As to reports of a "no fly zone" instituted over the plant, there has been an FAA-issued NOTAM ("Notice to Airmen") restricting the airspace over all U.S. nuclear plants since September 11, 2001, with a precautionary "tightening" in the vicinity of Fort Calhoun since June 6. Officials say it has nothing to do with a supposed "meltdown" or purported release of radioactivity.
June 23 update: Q&A with NPPD, OPPD
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Sources and further reading:
OPPD: Flood Rumor Control
Omaha Public Power District, June 2011
OPPD Separates Fact from Fiction
Action 3 News, 17 June 2011
Officials Say Neb. Nuclear Plant Is Safe from Flood
Associated Press, 17 June 2011
Rumors and the Rising River
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Blog, 17 June 2011
Rumors Swirl Around State Nuclear Plants
Columbus Telegram, 23 June 2011
Last updated 06/23/11