Bluff collapse near Milwaukee sends construction equipment into Lake Michigan. At this point there is no immediate danger, according to officials at the scene. Part of the bluff at the south end of the We Energies power plant site in Oak Creek collapsed this morning, sending a lot of earth, some rail road cars and a few small buildings into Lake Michigan.
We Energies spokesperson Cathy Schulze says they aren’t really sure just how many workers were in the area when the bluff gave way, but everyone has been accounted for. “There have been literally dozens of workers in and out of that site … at this point it appears that everyone is accounted for and there are no injuries.”
Schulze days the next step will be to determine when the area is safe for a damage assessment. “Obviously part of the investigation will center around why this land gave way, why the bluff collapsed, and making sure that it is safe for us to go in there and assess the damage to that equipment.”
Officials are also checking for soil stability and the environmental impact after so much stuff ended up in the lake. The accident has not affected power production at the plant. Visit WeEnergies’ facebook page for updates.
Thanks to Jan Hoff, WRJN
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