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
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.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.
Please allow a moment for the live blog to load.
Derbyshire Police tweeted: "Warnings to stay away from the Whaley Bridge area are continuing. Residents who have been at work, or away from the area, are strongly advised to stay away following advice from the EnvAgency who have indicated that the incident currently poses a significant threat to life.
"Anyone outside the cordon is asked to go to Chapel High School, Long Lane, ChapelEnLeFrith, High Peak, SK23 0TQ, where further direction will be given. Please make arrangements to stay with friends/family, if you can't you will be accommodated but there is limited capacity.
"We understand that there will be some concern around not being able to return home, however our priority is to ensure people are kept safe and well and are not taking unnecessary risks.
"This is not a decision that has been taken lightly and we appreciate that there is significant impact on this community, however this is an unprecedented, fast-moving, emergency situation."
These aerial pictures show the full extent of the damage to the wall – and just how close that reservoir is:
As a helicopter hovered above the village, police officers were going door to door in Whaley Bridge to get everyone out.
Going the other way were teams of council workers and mountain rescue vehicles heading into the village.
Dragging a suitcase of possessions up the deserted high street, local David Holt said: "Police are knocking on, evacuating everyone within risk of that dam wall breaking.
"If it's going to go, it's going to go straight through the village.
"Police are asking you to gather some belongings, leave your house in a secure condition and go to a local school.
"We've taken an elderly neighbour to a friend's house and are heading to the school now."
Emergency services making their way through the centre of the village
The forecast for Whaley Bridge from the Met Office is looking even more foreboding than it did earlier. It's now projecting storms in the next couple of hours:
The weather is leading to train closures in the local area. Full details can be found here.
Whaley Bridge residents say the River Goyt is higher today than they’ve ever seen it, reports The Independent's North of England correspondent Colin Drury, who has been speaking to some of those evacuated.
Paul Nash, whose garden backs on to the waterway, said: “It’s normally 20ft below the back wall but last night it was 3ft. It’s terrifying. Everything we own is in the house.”
Paul Nash and Janet Williams have been evacuated from their home (picture: Colin Drury)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments