A nuclear power plant located in Louisa County, the epicenter of the earthquake in Virginia, has shut down.



The North Anna Power Station, operated by Dominion Power, has two reactors. Both reactors tripped automatically at the time of the quake and shut down.

The plant declared an "unusual event" in the wake of the 5.8 magnitude quake, which is the lowest stage on the plant's emergency scale.



As a result, the plant has been shut down.

The AP reports the plant is being run off of four emergency diesel generators, which are supplying power for critical safety equipment.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission spokesman Roger Hannah says the agency was not immediately aware of any damage at nuclear power plants in the southeast.

NRC officials are still assessing the situation.



Check back with NBC Washington for more updates as they become available.