OMU announced the already decommissioned Elmer Smith Station stacks will be demolished Sunday morning. Officials said they will have some road closures in place around Highway 144 and Daniels Lane during the process.
Sonya Dixon, Communications and Public Relations Manager, provided a letter that went out to all OMU customers in the area with a notice of the demolition. Read the full letter below for more information:
Dear OMU Customer,
OMU’s Elmer Smith Station has provided electricity to our community since 1964. As you may have noticed, since its closure in 2020, the power plant has been undergoing decommissioning and demolition. On Sunday, December 4 at approximately 8 a.m., the two stacks at the plant will be felled. The skyline of our community will be forever changed by this historic event.
Please be assured that all precautions have been taken to ensure the safety of all surrounding properties. However, as your home or business is nearby the site, we are providing some information to assist you in preparation for the event.
· Highway 144 will be closed from Daniels Lane to the overpass, with traffic being rerouted. Cars will not be allowed to park along Highway 144. We anticipate the closure to begin at 7:45 a.m. and end at 8:15 a.m.
· Law enforcement and other emergency personnel will be on site to ensure no one enters the designated perimeter.
· A series of siren blasts will be made at intervals leading up to the felling: at two minutes and one minute, followed by a countdown to the felling event.
· Upon the felling, you may hear a loud initial boom, feel the ground shake slightly, and see a dust cloud which will settle within minutes. Ground vibrations will be monitored.
If you have any additional questions, please call 270-926-3200.
