Exelon employees, first responders, and emergency managers will be put to the test on Tuesday.
Every other year, federal and state regulators host a disaster drill at the nuclear power plant in Cordova.
Rock Island County Lt. Mindy Meyers is the Coordinator of the county Emergency Management Agency.
She says first responders and others will demonstrate how prepared they are to respond to an unknown threat or accident, such as a radiological leak, security breach, or severe weather.
The county's Emergency Operations Center was activated in March due to COVID-19. So this year's nuclear drill may include scenarios that test higher levels of response.
Meyers says communications are a critical part of responding to disasters.
The county uses radio, television, and other ways to reach people who live and work within ten miles of the Cordova plant, along with travelers.
Hundreds of Exelon workers, first responders, and others from four counties and two states will participate in the preparedness exercise on Tuesday.