Virginia earthquake shuts down nuclear plant
By Knoxville Daily Sun staff
Published August 23, 2011, 5:27 p.m.

North Anna Power plant is the "two reactor nuclear plant" that is the closest to epicenter of the Virginia earthquake. When an unexpected earthquake hit this afternoon the Virginia plant automatically shut down.

The recent nuclear disaster in Japan did affect safety regulations in the US and the reactors were set to automatically shut down in the event of an earthquake.

President Obama is expected to release a statement soon.

Unrelated to the nuclear plants, we are also receiving reports of major structural damage in Virginia but it's currently unconfirmed.

We will continue to keep you updated.