As Hurricane Debby approached the South Carolina coast, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) Site Services mobilized its resources and implemented comprehensive preparations to ensure the safety and well-being of employees and operations at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site (SRS). Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS)

Site Services clears a fallen tree out of a Savannah River Site (SRS) roadway during Hurricane Debby.

In anticipation of the storm, Site Services collaborated with the Savannah River National Laboratory Atmospheric Technologies Group and SRS Emergency Services to monitor potential impacts. The hurricane reached Florida as a Category 1 before weakening to a tropical storm— leaving the possibility for downed trees, utility poles and standing water on roadways.

In preparation for the storm, Site Services Roads & Grounds, Heavy Equipment, and Excavation & Rigging groups established roles and responsibilities. An on-call list was created, and work schedules were altered as needed to ensure adequate staffing. Areas that were prone to flooding were checked, drains cleaned and ditch lines opened. Lakes were monitored to ensure they were within established safe levels.

“We followed the Severe Weather Procedure, staging equipment around the Site for quick response,” said Joe Solesby, SRNS Logistics Manager, Site Services. “Prepped sandbags were loaded and palletized to be delivered to SRS customers who may be impacted by heavy rain and flooding.”

On August 6, between 9-10 p.m., heavy rain and wind began to impact SRS. Calls for assistance were prioritized, and teams were dispatched to address storm-related issues. “In total, more than 1,500 sandbags were delivered to facilities around the Site and 56 downed trees were removed from our roadways,” said Randy Keenan, SRNS Director of Site Infrastructure. “Each group communicated effectively and did an outstanding job of keeping all roadways clear of debris and safe for travel. We remain committed to the safety of our employees and the integrity of SRS operations.”

Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, a Fluor and HII partnership company, is responsible for the management and operations of the Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site, located near Aiken, South Carolina.