TVA officials said maintenance work is being performed at the station which shut safely April 27 when a line of severe storms and tornadoes knocked out electrical power to the facility.
Well, if you live in the eastern 3/4 of the country (with the exception of Texas), it is a major "biggie" as well. Since all of the electrical power distribution grids are interconnected...it impacts all of us.
Nuclear plant containments are built to withstand a direct hit by a jet airplane as well as direct hits from tornadoes. I suggest you telephone TVA’s public relations and ask them; the company I used to work for would have gladly provided your with information.
The one I worked on in Oregon sustained being covered with ash following the eruption of Mt. Saint Helens, which was visible just across the Columiba River. It also survived the earthquakes associated with that eruption.
Fukushima, I believe, actually had the shut down process safely underway after the big earthquake but no one anticipated afterwards a 45 foot high surge of sea water!
The nukes at TVA do what all plants do: they follow set procedures and shut down during certain events.
One such event where I worked is when the temperature climbs so high outside that the plant cannot be safely cooled if water is used as a coolant.