WAITSBURG -- A big problem for Northwest Grain Growers in Waitsburg.

One of their bins is leaking grain, after it split open.

Now crews are now working around to clock to save that tank from collapsing.

The leak was first discovered Tuesday.

It's actually a small break in the steel wall of the structure.

Here's where the problem lies.

There's more than 170-thousand bushels of grain in there, which equals about 10 million pounds.

Northwest Grain Growers Operations Manager John Cranor said the split makes the whole structure vulnerable to a collapse.

He said giant vacuums are being used to get that grain out, to relieve pressure on the split.

"The goal obviously is to try to get it drawn down without it falling over and hopefully we'll be successful in that if we get through the next 24 hours to 48 hours, then we feel like we'll be in pretty good shape" said Cranor.

Cranor said the grain is being taken to storage units at the Snake River.

He said the grain bin was built in the 1960s.

About 15 to 20 farmers use the building to hold their grain.

A nearby road has been closed to prevent anyone from being hurt if that grain bin comes down.

Once all that grain is out, engineers will see what can be done to repair the structure.