If you are new to Brunswick County or visiting the Southport/Oak Island area, there is a local routine you should become familiar with: the quarterly testing of the outdoor warning sirens.
On Wednesday, April 1, 2026, Duke Energy and local officials will conduct a scheduled test of the 38 sirens surrounding the Brunswick Nuclear Plant.
What to Expect
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Timing: The primary test window is between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., though you may hear brief follow-up testing for maintenance after 11 a.m.
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The Sound: Sirens will sound for five to 30 seconds. Some sirens may be tested more than once during the hour.
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No Action Needed: Because this is a planned test to ensure the system is functioning properly, no public action is required.
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Media Alerts: Local broadcasting stations will not interrupt regular programming for this test. In a real emergency, these stations would be the primary source for Emergency Alert System (EAS) instructions.
Why We Have Them
The Brunswick Nuclear Plant is located just two miles north of Southport. The siren network covers a 10-mile radius, reaching into parts of both Brunswick and New Hanover counties. These tests are conducted in cooperation with emergency management to ensure our community remains prepared.
For more details on local safety and nuclear emergency preparedness, you can visit duke-energy.com/NuclearEP.
This report is based on official notices from Duke Energy.
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