A town in Derbyshire in on high alert, after an immediate evacuation order was issued due to a collapsing dam. Extreme weather, which has taken its toll on Britain in recent days, could see the Toddbrook Reservoir dam burst its banks and cause widespread flooding. Local residents feared that this collapse would “wipe out” half of the town.

Aerial footage of the dam, above Whaley Bridge, shows officials working to repair parts of the wall that have collapsed following severe rainfall.

Experts are also inspecting the damage to see whether the threat of collpase is imminent.

At the same time, thousands of residents near the Peak District dam have been evacuated, leaving ghost towns in their wake.

The dam holds more than 300 million gallons of water, which risks unleashing a devastating flood.

JUST IN: Dam collapse warning: Peak district dam holding 300 MILLION gallons of water set to burst

The Environment Agency, which issued the severe flood warning indicating danger to life at Whaley Bridge, warned that water levels in the River Goyt could “rise rapidly”.

The Derbyshire police force said that the area posed a significant threat to life and advised nearby residents to to gather at the Chapel High School three miles away from the village, or stay with friends and family until the danger had passed.

Police have gone from door to door, checking that people know the evacuation orders.

BBC North West presenter Andy Gill tweeted that the main shopping street Buxton Road was “deserted”.

Derbyshire Police said road closures and diversions were in place while experts assessed the stability of the wall.

A police spokesperson said: “There is a high probability that there will be significant flooding due to damage caused in recent severe weather.

“People are asked to make alternative arrangements to stay with friends and family.

“If anyone is not able to do so then they will be accomodated, however, there is limited capacity to do so.

“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.”

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A local resident, 28-year-old Grace Cole, told the Manchester Evening News that if the dam broke it would wipe out half the village.

She addded: “It’s not a case of them advising you to leave, they are strongly advising you, as strongly as they can, to leave.

“I’m told some are saying no, probably older people, and they obviously can’t force you. It’s them we should probably be worried about.

“I’ve lived here 20 years and I’ve never known anything like this. Well, nothing has happened yet has it? But if it does will probably wipe half the village off the map.”

The extreme weather has taken a toll elsewhere in the north of England as well, with Cheshire Police warning that drivers could “risk their lives” by driving through roads closed by flooding in Poynton.

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