By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – Authorities in southeast Missouri say a hydroelectric reservoir burst this morning and caused massive flooding. The reservoir in the Ozark foothills is designed to hold more than a billion gallons of water. Sheriff's deputies in rural Reynolds County, Missouri, say five people were rescued. Reports indicate a house, a mobile home, and several vehicles were washed away.
Erica Abbett is a spokeswoman for power company Ameren UE, which owns the plant. She says the pumping apparatus at the facility was probably not to blame. The National Weather Service says rain was NOT a factor in the break either. Highway patrol Sergeant Marty Elmore says the Lesterville area and areas south along the Black River are in "extreme peril." Elmore said there were no confirmed deaths.