Become a Founder Member Now!

Windmill disaster leaves debris scattered and costs soaring

October 29, 2024 | Des Moines County, Iowa


This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »

Windmill disaster leaves debris scattered and costs soaring
In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the aftermath of a significant incident involving two large windmills, each approximately 500 feet tall. Both structures caught fire, resulting in debris being scattered over a wide area, with large chunks reportedly thrown as far as 1,500 feet and fiberglass found up to a mile and a half away.

One of the windmills remains partially intact, with a single blade still hanging in the air, while the other has been completely dismantled. The crane used for the removal of the destroyed windmill is still on-site, a massive piece of equipment that required 80 to 100 truckloads for transport, with estimated costs for its operation and removal ranging from $100,000 to $150,000.

Officials noted that dismantling the remaining concrete structure would be a costly endeavor, with estimates suggesting it could reach $1.25 million to cut and remove the concrete, in addition to $700,000 for the metal components. The owners of the windmills have expressed a preference for a more explosive approach to demolition, indicating a desire to blow up the remaining structure rather than undertake the lengthy and expensive dismantling process.

View full meeting

This article is based on a recent meeting—watch the full video and explore the complete transcript for deeper insights into the discussion.

View full meeting

Sponsors

Proudly supported by sponsors who keep Iowa articles free in 2025

Scribe from Workplace AI
Scribe from Workplace AI