Lynchburg dam: Evacuations underway in Virginia after officials warn city could flood 17ft in seven minutes

'Obey all orders by emergency personnel if instructed to evacuate the area downstream of the College Lake Dam'

Evacuations are underway in a Virginia city after officials have warned a potential dam failure could flood the city by exceeding 17ft in seven minutes.

According to the National Weather Service, a recent heavy rainfall amassing four to six inches has caused a dam in the city of Lynchburg to remain above its capacity.

Although emergency personnel reported that the dam had not failed during the early hours of Friday morning, officials fear that more rain throughout the day and weekend could threaten a dam failure.

“This remains a dangerous situation!” said the National Weather Service report. “Obey all orders by emergency personnel if instructed to evacuate the area downstream of the College Lake Dam.”

Emergency personnel added, “the water depth in Lynchburg could exceed 17 feet in seven minutes".

According to a CBS report, emergency personnel have since identified a list of 124 residences that need be evacuated as a precaution for potential dam failure.

The Lynchburg sheriff’s office identified a school gymnasium available to residents and their pets who had to evacuate their homes in a post published to Facebook.

“Please use caution and take evacuation orders seriously,” another post from the office read. “If you see rising water, do not attempt to cross it. Turn around, don’t drown."

AccuWeather Meteorologist Brett Rathbun said two neighbourhoods in Lynchburg, Timberlake and Forest, had experienced the heaviest rainfall since earlier in the week.

“More rain is expected across the area through Friday, which can keep the dam failure risk high," he added.