STOCKPORT — An English town was being evacuated on Thursday after the wall of a nearby reservoir was damaged with officials warning that subsequent flooding posed a risk to life.

Footage posted on social media showed water gushing from the Toddbrook Reservoir which sits above Whaley Bridge in Derbyshire, central England.

“Whaley Bridge is being evacuated due to the ongoing situation at Toddbrook Reservoir,” Derbyshire Police said, adding there were reports the wall of the reservoir had been damaged.

“Residents are asked to make alternative arrangements to stay with friends and family, ensure that any pets are taken with them and that all medication that may be needed for a number of days is taken with them.”

Britain’s Environment Agency issued a severe flood warning for the area, saying river levels in the River Goyt which runs through the town could rise rapidly.

It comes after heavy rain in the last couple of days led to flooding in areas across northern England. (Reporting Andrew Marshall and Phil Noble; writing by Michael Holden; editing by Guy Faulconbridge) </s> A team of men look at the damage to the wall of Toddbrook Reservoir near the village of Whaley Bridge, Cheshire, England, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019. British police have ordered the evacuation of a town of 6,500 residents in northwest England over fears that a dam could collapse. The Derbyshire Police force says residents of Whaley Bridge should leave their homes because of the “significant threat to life.” (Danny Lawson/PA via AP)

LONDON (AP) — British police ordered the evacuation of a town of 6,500 people in northwest England on Thursday over fears that a rain-damaged dam could collapse.

The Derbyshire Police force said residents of Whaley Bridge should leave their homes immediately because of the “significant threat to life.”

It said a dam wall at the 19th-century Toddbrook Reservoir above the town had been damaged by days of heavy rain.

Police officers went door to door in Whaley Bridge telling people to leave and head to a school a few miles (kilometers) away. Residents of the town, located 175 miles (280 kilometers) northwest of London, were advised to stay with friends and family elsewhere if possible, and to take pets and several days’ worth of any essential medications with them.

“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,” police tweeted.

A heat wave last week has been followed by heavy rains in many parts of the U.K., causing flash flooding that has inundated homes, roads and train lines across northern England.

Whaley Bridge resident Anna Aspinall said engineers had told residents that a dam wall “is at high risk of failing.”

“We are praying (it) holds whilst the Canal and River Trust try to drain the water from the reservoir,” she said.

Paul Nash, who was evacuated with his partner and their cat, said police had given them no indication of how long they need to away from home.

“If the whole dam goes, it’s going to cause absolute chaos,” he said. “Probably the village will go, because it (the River Goyt) goes straight through.” </s> A view of the Toddbrook Reservoir near the village of Whaley Bridge in England. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP)

A view of the Toddbrook Reservoir near the village of Whaley Bridge in England. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP)

AN entire town is being evacuated with fears a reservoir dam could collapse under the pressure of torrential rain.

A "danger to life" warning has been issued as more than 6000 people are evacuated from Whaley Bridge in Derbyshire in the UK.

Police have warned around 200 people living in one of the most at-risk areas of the town that they could face arrest if they don't leave.

The Environment Agency has said the dam holding back Toddbrook Reservoir above the town could burst at any moment, and desperate action is being taken to pump water away from the scene.

River levels in the River Goyt could "rise rapidly" if the dam bursts, swamping the town below.

Photographs appear to show parts of the Toddbrook Reservoir in Derbyshire broken apart, with fears huge panels could fall from the wall.

The Toddbrook Reservoir contains 1136 megalitres of water, which weighs 1.3 million tonnes.

Derbyshire Police issued a dire warning to locals today, saying: "Whaley Bridge is being evacuated due to the ongoing situation at Toddbrook Reservoir.

"If you are being evacuated then please start heading to Chapel High School, Long Lane, ChapelEnLeFrith, High Peak, where further direction will be given."

Matt Forrest has watched the chaos unfold in his home town.

The designer said: "We live about six feet up from the reservoir, so we have managed to dodge being evacuated but only just. The rest of the entire town has had to leave.

"I've never seen anything like it, it's the worst flooding in living memory in the village."

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission </s> LONDON (AP) — British police ordered the evacuation of a town of 6,500 people in northwest England on Thursday over fears that a rain-damaged dam could collapse.

The Derbyshire Police force said residents of Whaley Bridge should leave their homes immediately because of the “significant threat to life.”

It said a dam wall at the 19th-century Toddbrook Reservoir above the town had been damaged by days of heavy rain.

Police officers went door to door in Whaley Bridge telling people to leave and head to a school a few miles (kilometers) away. Residents of the town, located 175 miles (280 kilometers) northwest of London, were advised to stay with friends and family elsewhere if possible, and to take pets and several days’ worth of any essential medications with them.

“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,” police tweeted.

A heat wave last week has been followed by heavy rains in many parts of the U.K., causing flash flooding that has inundated homes, roads and train lines across northern England.

Whaley Bridge resident Anna Aspinall said engineers had told residents that a dam wall “is at high risk of failing.”

“We are praying (it) holds whilst the Canal and River Trust try to drain the water from the reservoir,” she said.

Paul Nash, who was evacuated with his partner and their cat, said police had given them no indication of how long they need to away from home.

“If the whole dam goes, it’s going to cause absolute chaos,” he said. “Probably the village will go, because it (the River Goyt) goes straight through.” </s> The Derbyshire town of Whaley Bridge is being evacuated following a warning from the Environment Agency that lives are at risk from flooding.

It follows the partial collapse of a dam wall at Toddbrook Reservoir and the fear is that this could cause the River Goyt to rise "rapidly", the agency said.

The 19th-century reservoir is in the High Peak area and sits above hundreds of homes and businesses in the town.

On Thursday afternoon, police officers were going door to door to make sure residents were securing their homes before leaving, as a helicopter hovered overhead.

Meanwhile, council workers and mountain rescue vehicles were seen heading the other way - into town.

There are around 8,000 residents in the town, 16 miles southeast of Manchester, and they are being told to stay with friends or family or to head to a nearby high school for further instructions.

A police spokesperson said anyone who could not stay with friends or family would be accommodated but warned there was "limited capacity" for this.

They added: "There is a high probability that there will be significant flooding due to damage caused in recent severe weather.

"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."

Firefighters are using at least 10 high volume pumps to pump tonnes of water from the reservoir and the National Fire Chiefs Council said in a statement that they expect the major incident to last between two to three days.

The council said the reservoir contains 1.3 million tonnes of water and the dam holding it back contains 300 million gallons of water.

The pumps being used can move up to 7,000 litres of water per minute, they added.

Former MP Edwina Currie, who lives in a cottage above the reservoir, told Sky News the area had seen two weeks' rain in 24 hours and that the reservoir had filled up "extremely quickly".

She said strong winds on Wednesday caused the dam to overflow, which she described as a safety feature and nothing to be concerned about. However, the force of it had carried away some of the dam's concrete facing, leaving a "great big hole" with water "pouring into it".

She said residents were "obviously concerned" but the small community was focused on how they could help each other.

"The community here is excellent...absolutely buzzing with people offering help," she said. "I've no doubt everyone will get well looked after."

Dragging a suitcase up the town's deserted high street, Whaley Bridge resident David Holt said of the dam: "If it's going to go, it's going to go straight through the village."

Resident Anna Aspinall said she and others had been called to help place sandbags in the area around the dam but they had been sent away after structural engineers said the "the wall is at high risk of failing".

She added: "We are praying (the dam wall) holds whilst the Canal and River Trust try to drain the water from the reservoir."

Paul Nash said: "The River Goyt is actually behind us, normally it's 20ft down from our back garden but last night it raised up to nearly 3ft from coming over.

"If the whole dam goes, it's going to cause absolute chaos. Probably the village will go, because it goes straight through. The River Goyt goes straight through the village centre."

The Canal And River Trust said in a statement: "We have a team of engineers on site at the moment assessing the damage and determining what the next steps are.

"We will provide further updates as the picture becomes clearer."
• Heavy rain caused flooding on all railway lines between Manchester Airport and Wilmslow early on Thursday, according to train operator Northern.
• Flooding has damaged homes and partially destroyed a bridge in Poynton, Cheshire, forcing some to head to a rest centre at the local civic hall. Firefighters responded to 20 incidents, including people stranded by flooding.
• In nearby Wilmslow, police are "dealing with flooding" and had evacuated affected residents, with Oakenclough Children's Centre open as a rest centre.
• The Environment Agency said its teams were out in Cheshire, Derbyshire and Greater Manchester, where intense rainfall had caused flooding and disruption.
• There is currently one severe flood warning (relating to Whaley Bridge), five flood warnings meaning flooding is expected and immediate action is required (two for Poynton Brook, two for the River Bollin and one for Timperley Brook at Altrincham) and 15 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible.
• The Met Office says the country should dry out over the coming days, with only sporadic rain in central and western Scotland and northern England, possibly as far south as Yorkshire, but not as frequent or as significant as in recent days. South west England and parts of Wales may also see occasional showers. </s> A dam which is at risk of collapse following heavy rain could affect numerous towns and villages in Derbyshire and Cheshire.

The 6,500 residents of Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire, have been evacuated amid fears the dam could completely collapse after part of it subsided.

People in the town are being told to leave the area as the situation continues at Toddbrook Reservoir.

The dam is connected to the River Goyt, which runs north towards Stockport, where it joins the River Tame to form the River Mersey.

If the dam does collapse it will cause a torrent of water rushing past multiple towns and villages which border the river, or are connected via small brooks.

The Environment Agency issued a severe flood warning for the River Goyt at Whaley Bridge ‘where immediate action is required’.

It has issued another five flood warnings across Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire, with flood alerts in Stockport – meaning the threat is lower but still apparent.

The following towns could be affected if the situation worsens at the reservoir.

Buxworth is a small village around 2 miles north east of Whaley Bridge.

The River Goyt joins Bugsworth Basin – a canal basin at the terminus of the Peak Forest Canal, in the valley of the Black Brook.

Further north is the village of Furness Vale, which has multiple businesses next to the river.

Numerous properties in the town of New Mills have already been flooded by heavy rain which battered the High Peak over night.

The village of Strines, in Greater Manchester, is located in the valley of the River Goyt.

The small town is also on the River Goyt and is about 9 miles southeast of Manchester.

Torkington Brook, which is connected to the River Goyt, runs south through the villages of Offerton Green and Foggbrook.

The River Goyt then slopes upwards around Vernon Park, which borders Lower Bredbury, close to Stockport centre.

The river then meets the River Tame to form the River Mersey, running through the centre of Stockport. </s> Derbyshire police has detailed the plan to secure the dam wall at Toddbrook Reservoir after it was badly damaged by heavy rain.

In a statement, the force's Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Swann said access to Whaley Bridge was stopped and parts of the town, as well as further areas downstream, were evacuated following an assessment by structural engineers.

Emergency services, partner agencies and volunteers remain at the scene, with help coming from across the country.

READ MORE: Toddbrook Reservoir: Chinook helicopter being brought in to Whaley Bridge to help secure dam wall

The plan to secure the dam wall now is:

* Use 400 tonnes of aggregate to divert water from entering the reservoir and into other surrounding watercourses designed for this purpose.

* Use water pumps to remove water from the reservoir to relieve pressure on the dam wall.

* Once the above measures reduce the water to a level that is safe – work will then begin on the dam wall itself.

READ MORE: Toddbrook Reservoir: More properties evacuated as work continues on Whaley Bridge dam - live updates

A Chinook helicopter is being brought in to help move the aggregate. </s> AN RAF Chinook has today joined the battle to save a small town on the brink of disaster after homes were evacuated over fears a reservoir dam could burst.

Airmen have dumped 400 tonnes of sand in a bid to shore up Toddbrook Reservior dam after 6,500 residents were told to leave the town of Whaley Bridge in Derbyshire below amid a 'danger to life' warning.

Hundreds of residents in the most at-risk area of the Peak District town were told they would face ARREST if they did not leave their homes as fears grow over the flooding threat.

Police said future of the dam wall "remains in the balance" and flooding still poses a "very real danger".

Experts have warned the dam could be "fully broken in hours" and it would cause a "massive" flood.

The Environment Agency warned river levels in the River Goyt could "rise rapidly" as a result of water coming from the Toddbrook Reservoir if the dam bursts.

Boris Johnson has called a meeting of the Government's emergency COBRA committee today to co-ordinate the response to the crisis.

Photographs show a large panels of the dam have crumbled away under pressure from the 300 million gallons of water behind it.

The reservoir has swollen in recent weeks due to torrential rain fall in the north of England.

And emergency crews are today working desperately to pump water away with authorities warning the danger of flooding is imminent.

The twin-blade Chinook has been flying in 400 tonnes of aggregate to reinforce the reservoir wall since the early hours of this morning.

It is expected to work throughout the day in desperate attempts to stem the flow of water.

The Canal and River Trust says water levels have gone down by about 8 inches overnight.

Julie Sharman, chief operating officer of the Canal and River Trust, said: "The spillway for the dam has broken away.

"We are trying to lower the level of the water in the dam in order to reduce the risk of further erosion. There's a risk the dam could break."

Engineers have also been pumping water into the River Goyt below the reservoir to ease the pressure on the dam wall. But the levels of the river itself are high following heavy spells of rain. Workers were pictured lining sandbags along the wall.

Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Swann, chair of the Local Resilience Forum said: "A wall of the reservoir has been badly damaged during recent heavy rain.

"Following an assessment by structural engineers, the decision was taken to stop access to Whaley Bridge and evacuate parts of the village, along with further areas downstream.

She added: "The future of the dam wall remains in the balance and I would remind people of the very real danger posed to them should the wall collapse."

Police said it was unclear how long evacuated residents would need to stay away from their homes.

A police spokesman added: "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."

Residents without anywhere to stay were told to gather at Chapel High School in the neighbouring town of Chapel-en-le-Frith.

Evacuees were told to take pets and medication with them in case they are not able to return for several days.

This morning Derbyshire Police confirmed that a "very small number" of people were refusing to leave their homes.

A video has emerged of frightened locals that were told to "get out or die".

Andrew Mclackland, 46, is staying put as he thinks the emergency is a "fuss about nothing".

He told Manchester Evening News: "I think it's health and safety gone mad.

"I don't think it will go. I think it's a fuss about nothing."

Rob Wilson, 44, lives in Hockerley Ave, just 880 years away from the dam, with wife Sally, 45, and their three children, aged 9, 13, 15.

Rob - an artist - has a studio in Lockside Mill, St. Martin's Road, Marple, Stockport, but forced to close his business - Rob Wilson Art - today

He told The Sun Online: "We volunteered to help out yesterday but the situation changed so quickly that the police suggested that it was probably not safe.

"We have got friends who live in a house by the dam - they stayed with us last night after being evacuated.

"We didn't get much sleep last night - the helicopters were really loud, and it was worrying thing to wake up to this morning."

He added: "It is quite alarming - seeing the water rushing down when we were stood on the bridge - we were thinking, what could possibly happen?

"We feel very lucky about where we are - we are so far up the hill - but we feel so sorry for our good friends - we have been handing out clothes to one family. But it affects the whole town, the businesses - the devastating effect, if anything bad is to happen, it will affect all of us."

Matt Forrest, who lives just six feet uphill from the reservoir and has watched the chaos unfold in his home town.

The designer said: "We live about six feet up from the reservoir so we have managed to dodge being evacuated but only just. The rest of the entire town has had to leave.

"I've never seen anything like it, its’ the worst flooding in living memory in the village."

Trauma nurse Philomena Smith, 53, lives on a road above the reservoir worried her husband might not make it home tonight.

She said: “Many Whaley Bridge residents who were on the bridge yesterday looking over the dam said they have lived here all their lives and never seen anything like this.

“If the dam overflows it will join the River Goyt and be a disaster.

“My husband is working in Buxton but may not be able to get home tonight.”

Volunteers had previously been trying to help sandbag the dam - but were sent away amid fears the wall was at a "high risk of falling".

One local Anna Aspinall, 36, said: "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.

"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."

Last night there was a false alarm that the dam had burst after police were heard shouting "breach".

This is the cue to flee and locals went sent into a panic, running away from the reservoir.

But 20 minutes later they were given the all clear.

Flooding expert Dr Mohammed Heidarzadeh has warned that the dam could collapse within hours.

Dr Heidarzadeh, assistant professor and head of coastal engineering and resilience LAB, said: "Due to heavy rainfall in Whaley Bridge area, the spillway is now broken and a big chunk of its concrete structure is damaged.

"There is a possibility that the spillway could then become fully broken in a few hours.

"If the spillway is fully gone, the embankment dam will be washed away very rapidly, which could cause a massive flood."

Nearby Poynton in Cheshire was among the worst hit places in the UK with the fire service declaring a major incident and rescuing 11 people.

Images show a bridge that had partially collapsed and a massive sinkhole that opened up in Cheshire.

Cheshire Police warned that drivers could "risk their lives" by driving through roads closed by flooding in Poynton.

The Environment Agency has issued 7 flood warnings and 0 flood alerts covering central, north-west and north-east England.

Flooding in Stockport forced people to evacuate and businesses were damaged.

A music festival near Macclesfield was cancelled less than 24 hours before gates were meant to open because of the "extreme weather conditions".

Organisers of retro festival Rewind North said the site had been "battered" by the elements in recent weeks.

Police in nearby Wilmslow also said its officers were "dealing with flooding" and had evacuated affected residents, with Oakenclough Children's Centre open as a rest centre.

A month's rain fell in just four hours on Tuesday and the Met Office warned some towns and villages could be cut off.

The Yorkshire 2 Regiment was sent in to help distribute sandbags in Swaledale in a bid to protect homes after heavy rains flooded the area turning rivers into 'raging torrents'.

Roads in the Yorkshire Dales saw more than 50mm of rain as large hailstones were dumped on the area in what police described as "shocking" travel conditions. </s> THIS is the dramatic moment cops tell people living in a town under a reservoir dam at risk of collapse "get out or DIE".

Police were evacuating the 6,500 residents of Whaley Bridge, Derbys., yesterday as the Toddbrook reservoir may flood the town - but one homeowner refused saying it was "health and safety gone mad".

The video, shared on Twitter, shows a policewoman waving her hands at residents who wish to walk towards the dangerous area.

The cop can be heard asking locals: "Are you leaving?"

After a man answers "yes," she continues: "Because you need to be just out of this area or otherwise you're gonna die. I'll put it like that."

The stern warning has frightened locals as most have evacuated from the surrounding area.

One local resident, however, said he is staying put after police went door to door urging residents to leave their homes within the evacuation zone.

Andrew Mclackland, 46, told Manchester Evening News that the emergency is a "fuss about nothing" even though the Environment Agency has issued a "danger to life" warning.

Police said future of the dam wall "remains in the balance" and flooding still poses a "very real danger".

An RAF Chinook has today joined the battle to save a small town on the brink of disaster after homes were evacuated over fears a reservoir dam could burst.

Mr Mclackland hit out at the evacuation after police attempted to stop him accessing part of the town that was in danger.

He said: "They wouldn't let me through at first. I had to get my son out.

"I tried to get back in and they didn't want to let me through. I think it's health and safety gone mad.

"I don't think it will go. I think it's a fuss about nothing."

Matt Forrest, who lives just six feet uphill from the reservoir and has watched the chaos unfold in his home town.

The designer said: "We live about six feet up from the reservoir so we have managed to dodge being evacuated but only just. The rest of the entire town has had to leave.

"I've never seen anything like it, its’ the worst flooding in living memory in the village."

Trauma nurse Philomena Smith, 53, lives on a road above the reservoir worried her husband might not make it home tonight..

She said: “Many Whaley Bridge residents who were on the bridge yesterday looking over the dam said they have lived here all their lives and never seen anything like this.

“If the dam overflows it will join the River Goyt and be a disaster.

“My husband is working in Buxton but may not be able to get home tonight.”

Volunteers had previously been trying to help sandbag the dam - but were sent away amid fears the wall was at a "high risk of falling".

Airmen have dumped 400 tonnes of sand in a bid to shore up Toddbrook Reservior dam after 6,500 residents were told to leave the town of Whaley Bridge in Derbyshire below amid a 'danger to life' warning.

Hundreds of residents in the most at-risk area of the Peak District town were told they would face arrest if they did not leave their homes as fears grow over the flooding threat.

Experts have warned the dam could be 'fully broken in hours' and it would cause a 'massive' flood.

The Environment Agency warned river levels in the River Goyt could "rise rapidly" as a result of water coming from the Toddbrook Reservoir if the dam bursts.

Photographs show a large panels of the dam have crumbled away under pressure from the 300 million gallons of water behind it.

The reservoir has swollen in recent weeks due to torrential rain fall in the north of England.

And emergency crews are today working desperately to pump water away with authorities warning the danger of flooding is imminent.

In the early hours of this morning, a RAF Chinook was seen above the dam - flying in rocks to move over 50 tonnes of aggregate to the reservoir wall to reinforce it.

It is expected to work throughout the day in desperate attempts to stem the flow of water.
The town of Whaley Bridge in Derbyshire, England, is evacuated after heavy rain and flooding causes structural damage to the nearby dam at the Toddbrook Reservoir amid fears the dam could collapse. A severe flood warning has been issued for communities situated along the River Goyt.