Whaley Bridge dam emergency - live: Reservoir wall at ‘high risk’ of collapse as entire town near Manchester evacuated amid major flood fears

Derbyshire town evacuated as water level rises

Whaley Bridge: Derbyshire town evacuated as Toddbrook Reservoir dam wall collapses

Emergency services are working to secure a dam amid fears it could collapse after damage caused by extreme weather.

An evacuation has been launched and members of the public are being warned to stay out of the area around Derbyshire's Toddbrook Reservoir, near Manchester, after officials discovered the damage.

Authorities have told members of the public to "stay away" from the area in case residents and businesses need to be evacuated.

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Key Points

• 'It's terrifying': Residents flee homes as water rises
• Whaley Bridge evacuated by police
• Public told to avoid affected area
• Images reveal damage to reservoir wall

[1 August 2019 14:41 · Andrew Griffin]

As roads are being closed off, bus services are also being cancelled:

 

[1 August 2019 14:41 · Andrew Griffin]

Here's Whaley Bridge, in the context of the surrounding area:

[1 August 2019 14:46 · Andrew Griffin]

The Independent's northern correspondent, Colin Drury, is on his way down to the scene.

[1 August 2019 14:47 · Andrew Griffin]

Local residents have been told that the bridge is at "high risk" of collapsing.

Anna Aspinall, 36, from Whaley Bridge, has told PA she and others had been called to help place sandbags in the area around the dam, but were sent away after structural engineers advised "that the wall is at high risk of failing".

"We have had significant rainfall over the past few days resulting in the overflow of the reservoir, which is very rarely breached, being completely flooded over," she said.

"The result is that the overflow this morning has undermining damage and there is a big risk of the village being flooded out. Residents are currently being evacuated along with businesses."

"We are praying (the dam wall) holds whilst the Canal and River Trust try to drain the water from the reservoir. I live at the top of a hill but am very involved in community life, so want to help where I can," she added.

[1 August 2019 14:49 · Andrew Griffin]

Police have warned that it's not clear how long the evacuation will last, and that people should get ready to be away from their homes for some time:

[1 August 2019 14:55 · Andrew Griffin]

More rain is still to fall around Whaley Bridge tonight, according to the Met Office:

[1 August 2019 15:01 · Andrew Griffin]

The town is deserted as police go door-to-door asking people to leave their homes.

[1 August 2019 15:03 · Andrew Griffin]

Some more video of the dam wall here:

[1 August 2019 15:07 · Andrew Griffin]

Some more pictures from that deserted town centre:

[1 August 2019 15:15 · Andrew Griffin]

The Manchester Evening News's Chris Slater has spoken with one of the residents being evacuated this afternoon: