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As it happenedended

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

Colin Drury
Whaley Bridge
,Andrew Griffin,Chris Baynes
Thursday 01 August 2019 14:59 EDT
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Whaley Bridge: Derbyshire town evacuated as Toddbrook Reservoir dam wall collapses

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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.

"Until I hear there are fish swimming through my house, I’m working on the assumption that this is all a precaution.”

Evacuated residents are worried but in good humour, discovers my colleague Colin Drury, who has found himself a dry spot from which to file this report:

Chris Baynes1 August 2019 22:36

Some of the Whalley Bridge evacuees are looking on the bright side: 

Chris Baynes1 August 2019 22:46

That's all from us for tonight - thanks for following.

Chris Baynes1 August 2019 23:41

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