The Taum Sauk hydroelectric plant in Missouri, US, has been breached, releasing water into the local area.
The plant’s 6.8B litre, 20ha reservoir was ruptured in the northwest corner, causing water to flow into Reynolds County and resulting in the closure of the Route N road.
According to reports, at least two homes and several vehicles were swept away by the waters. A family of five has been rescued, and three children were injured. All 12 members of staff at the plant have been accounted for.
A team has been assembled to investigate the reason for the failure, said AmerenUE, the owners of the plant.
Built in 1963, Taum Sauk is a pumped storage plant, storing water from the Black river in its reservoir on the 484m Proffit mountain.
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