Shearon Harris to test sirens

New Hill, N.C. — The public alert notification sirens around the Shearon Harris nuclear plant will be tested between 10 and 11 a.m. Tuesday, officials said.

The full-volume test will last about five seconds on the 83 sirens in a 10-mile area surrounding the plant. The test is conducted to make sure each siren works properly.

Residents might not hear the sirens unless they are close to one when it is being tested, officials said.

Progress Energy Inc., which operates the nuclear plant, conducts silent tests every two weeks and short-duration tests every three months. Full-volume testing is conducted annually.