Home / Disasters and Accidents / Nuclear Plant Shut Down by 2020 Derecho Fury
Nuclear Plant Shut Down by 2020 Derecho Fury
13 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Derecho winds of 130 mph severed all external power lines.
- Backup generators activated, but cooling towers were toppled.
- Plant shutdown occurred after 45 years of operation.
In 2020, a powerful derecho struck the Duane Arnold nuclear plant, unleashing 130-mile-per-hour winds that severed all six external power lines. This catastrophic event necessitated an automatic emergency shutdown of the reactor. Safety systems engaged to stabilize the reactor and manage residual heat for several hours.
The storm's ferocity was evident when employees discovered the plant's twelve water-cooling towers had been destroyed. These towers were crucial for releasing steam from the water used to cool the nuclear reactor. The derecho, a widespread severe thunderstorm, caused extensive damage across the Midwest.
Following 45 years of service, the Duane Arnold Energy Center ceased operations. Given that the plant was already scheduled for decommissioning within months, there was minimal incentive or time to undertake repairs for the storm-induced damage.
