Whaley Bridge dam 'collapse': Town evacuated as 'danger to life' warning issued
- 5 years ago
A wall around Toddbrook Reservoir in Derbyshire has been severely damaged after heavy rain battered the region - prompting police to urge residents to seek safety.Residents in a picturesque rural town have been told to evacuate immediately over fears a crumbling dam could collapse after flash floods.
The Environment Agency is warning there is a serious 'danger to life' in Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire, and to 'get out ASAP'.
A wall around Toddbrook Reservoir, which has been severely damaged after heavy rain battered the region, is threatening to burst posing a major flooding risk.
There are serious concerns lives could be claimed if the wall collapses.
One local said it could "wipe half the village off the map.”
Derbyshire Police has described it as a "unprecedented, fast-moving, emergency situation" as more rain started to fall this evening.
Thousands of residents have been told to leave their homes with pets, essentials and all medication they may need for "a number of days".
A nearby school is being used as a refuge point and all roads to and from the town have been closed.
Dragging a suitcase of possessions up the deserted high street, local David Holt said: “Police are knocking on doors, evacuating everyone within risk of that dam wall breaking.
“If it’s going to go, it’s going to go straight through the village.“We’ve taken an elderly neighbour to a friend’s house and are heading to the school now.”
Another resident, Grace Cole, 28, said if the wall collapses it "will probably wipe half the village off the map.”
She added: "I’ve lived here 20 years and I’ve never known anything like this."
In a tweet, police said: "Whaley Bridge is being evacuated due to the ongoing situation at Toddbrook Reservoir.
"Residents who have been at work, or away from the area, are strongly advised to stay away following advice from the Environment Agency who have indicated that the incident currently poses a significant threat to life.
"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."
The warning continued: "If people do not have somewhere to go then they will be accommodated, however, there is limited capacity to do so. If you are unable to leave your own home and require assistance please contact 101 and ask for the police."Sara Williams, 30, who lives in a flat above a shop in the town said the situation is "frightening".
She added: “They said there’s a risk the water could come down so we’ve got to go. It’s really frightening.
“Terrifying really. Fingers crossed it won’t and everything will be okay but it’s not good."
The Environment Agency is warning there is a serious 'danger to life' in Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire, and to 'get out ASAP'.
A wall around Toddbrook Reservoir, which has been severely damaged after heavy rain battered the region, is threatening to burst posing a major flooding risk.
There are serious concerns lives could be claimed if the wall collapses.
One local said it could "wipe half the village off the map.”
Derbyshire Police has described it as a "unprecedented, fast-moving, emergency situation" as more rain started to fall this evening.
Thousands of residents have been told to leave their homes with pets, essentials and all medication they may need for "a number of days".
A nearby school is being used as a refuge point and all roads to and from the town have been closed.
Dragging a suitcase of possessions up the deserted high street, local David Holt said: “Police are knocking on doors, evacuating everyone within risk of that dam wall breaking.
“If it’s going to go, it’s going to go straight through the village.“We’ve taken an elderly neighbour to a friend’s house and are heading to the school now.”
Another resident, Grace Cole, 28, said if the wall collapses it "will probably wipe half the village off the map.”
She added: "I’ve lived here 20 years and I’ve never known anything like this."
In a tweet, police said: "Whaley Bridge is being evacuated due to the ongoing situation at Toddbrook Reservoir.
"Residents who have been at work, or away from the area, are strongly advised to stay away following advice from the Environment Agency who have indicated that the incident currently poses a significant threat to life.
"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."
The warning continued: "If people do not have somewhere to go then they will be accommodated, however, there is limited capacity to do so. If you are unable to leave your own home and require assistance please contact 101 and ask for the police."Sara Williams, 30, who lives in a flat above a shop in the town said the situation is "frightening".
She added: “They said there’s a risk the water could come down so we’ve got to go. It’s really frightening.
“Terrifying really. Fingers crossed it won’t and everything will be okay but it’s not good."