"Entire town on brink of disaster: Police tell families to 'get out ASAP' in mass evacuation of 6,500 people as crumbling dam - holding 300million gallons of water - looks set to BURST at any minute after floods (66 Pics)
Yes, there are excellent pictures, that remind me too much of Oroville ...
Sonar
15 MINUTEREAD
A picturesque Peak District market town was today on the verge of being wiped out as police urged up to 6,500 people to immediately evacuate before a dam with 300million gallons of water crumbles after five days of rain.
Officers went door-to-door around homes in Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire, as residents fled the area in case the 1.3million tonnes of water contained in the huge Georgian-era Toddbrook Reservoir starts to escape.
A wall around the reservoir has been damaged and a huge hole appeared in it, as deluged communities across the North of England faced yet more flooding today with another fortnight's worth of rain set to fall in three hours.
Evacuees were told to gather at a school three miles away in Chapel-en-le-Frith or head further afield to stay with family or friends following fears over the reservoir, which was built in 1831 and drains a 43-acre catchment area.
Police urged residents from the picturesque market town to ensure they took any pets and medication 'for a number of days', and asked people to 'make alternative arrangements to stay with friends and family'.
The force said the evacuation was 'not a decision that has been taken lightly', adding: 'We appreciate that there is significant impact on this community, however, this is an unprecedented, fast-moving, emergency situation.'
