Rising floodwaters have forced KCP&L to pull some workers from the Iatan plant near the Missouri River.

Only essential workers will remain at the plant near Weston. A spokeswoman says floodwaters are coming over U.S. 45, the main route in and out of the plant. She says operations are continuing as normal.

Railroad and MODOT crews are reportedly working at the nearby Farley Bridge to clear it of debris. Officials say debris was collecting in the flood-swollen Platte River nearby.

The plant is the largest coal fired generating plant in Missouri. The Iatan 1 facility opened in 1980. The smokestack is taller than any occupied building in the state. The Iatan 2 plant opened late last year. It generates 850 Megawatts with a capacity to burn 494 tons of coal per hour.