FILE - In this March 16, 2011 photo, steam escapes from Exelon Corp.'s nuclear plant in Byron, Ill.(AP Photo/Robert Ray, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Additional inspectors are being sent to nuclear power plants in five states as Hurricane Sandy approaches the East Coast.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission says its headquarters and Northeast regional office are both closed, except for emergency personnel.

The agency says safeguards at all nuclear plants can withstand hurricane-force winds and flooding. Still, plants will be shuttered if hurricane-force winds are expected in the area.

In New Jersey, extra inspectors equipped with satellite phones are being sent to Oyster Creek in Lacey Township, and Salem and Hope Creek in Hancocks Bridge. In Pennsylvania, Three Mile Island in Middletown, Peach Bottom in Delta and Susquehanna in Salem Township will get reinforcements. Indian Point in Buchanan, N.Y., Millstone in Waterford, Conn., and Calvert Cliffs in Lusby, Md., will also get extra inspectors.

Associated Press
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