By Katie Knapp Schubert
Omaha, NE – Rising Missouri River flood water has forced OPPD to declare a Notification of Unusual Event at its Fort Calhoun Nuclear Plant.
OPPD made the announcement in a news release this afternoon. Such notifications are made when events are happening or have happened that will impact the plant. In the news release, OPPD says the river is expected to rise to 1,004 feet above sea level this week and remain there for at least a month.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission, NEMA, and Iowa emergency management officials have been notified. OPPD says the plant is currently shut down for refueling and they don't expect any radioactive material to be released.
The Missouri River is two feet above flood stage in Washington County, and rising.