WASHINGTON  -  U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) released a statement this morning on the reservoir break at the Taum Sauk Hydroelectric Power Plant:

 

“I and my staff have been in constant communication with the county and state officials who are in the midst of responding to this emergency and the resulting flash flood downriver from Taum Sauk.  Our first concern is for the people in the path of the flood along the Black River between the reservoir and Clearwater Lake.  There are no flood mitigation structures, like levees or berms, in place, so conditions along the Black River in Reynolds County are dangerous as the surge moves downriver in the hours ahead.

 

“The local response to the flood has been swift, and it is ongoing to make sure residents are moved to higher ground.  In this emergency situation, the immediate challenge is notifying and evacuating downriver residents.  There will be a great deal of damage to assess in the days ahead, especially to transportation infrastructure, such as the many two-lane roads and small bridges in the flood’s path.  I will continue to work closely with federal, local and state officials to help provide whatever resources they need to deal with the aftermath of the situation.”

 

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will also begin an investigation into the dam break.