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Irma was one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes ever recorded as it approached the Caribbean islands. (Image credit: guido72)
Florida reactors undamaged by Hurricane Irma
Florida Power and Light's 1.4 GW Turkey Point and 2.0 GW St. Lucie nuclear power plants sustained no apparent damage from Hurricane Irma as the storm hit Florida September 10, Rob Gould, FPL vice president and chief communications officer, told the regional TCPalm newspaper September 11.
The Turkey point and St. Lucie plants were spared a direct hit from the Category 3 hurricane as it hit the west coast of Florida on September 10 before heading north. Irma had been Category 5 strength when it approached the Caribbean islands.
FPL took off-line one reactor at the Turkey Point plant on September 9, ahead of predicted Category 1 hurricane force winds. FPL's protocol is to shut down the nuclear plants 24 hours before winds reach Category 1 strength (over 74 mph).
The second reactor at Turkey Point remained online during the storm and was taken off the grid on September 11 after a routine inspection discovered a valve issue, an FPL spokesman said.
The two reactors at the St. Lucie plant remained online during the storm and one reactor was shut down late on September 10.
"After an inspection of nearby electrical systems that support the plant, the conservative decision was made to safely shut down Unit 1," FPL spokeswoman Alys Daly told TCPalm.
The second reactor at St Lucie remained online as of September 11.
The St. Lucie nuclear plant is located on Florida's east coast, around 193 miles north of Miami.
The Turkey point plant is located in the south-east corner of Florida, 40 km south of Miami.
FPL is a subsidiary of NRG Energy.
Nuclear Energy is part of FCBI Energy Ltd, a registered company in England and Wales - Registered number 09823824. 7-9 Fashion Street, London, E1 6PX, UK.