Whaley Bridge residents were evacuated last week after a hole appeared in the facade of the dam holding back water from the Toddbrook reservoir. Some 1,500 people were evacuated from the town last week after authorities feared water from the 300-million-gallon lake would burst the banks of the nearby River Goyt. Emergency workers with Derbyshire Fire and Rescue, aided by the Derbyshire Police, have worked over the weekend to lower water levels at the dam.

Is the Whaley Bridge dam collapsing?

Authorities evacuated more than 1,000 people last week after a gaping hole appeared on the surface of the Toddbrook dam, caused by heavy rain which swept much of the country.

Residents have dispersed to other nearby areas, with 400 people currently stationed at a local school.

Authorities have warned the town is not out of danger yet, as emergency services have more work to do.

The Environment Agency, Derbyshire Police and reservoir owners the Canal and River Trust have all warned there is a “real risk” from the dam.

Workers are desperately trying to prevent the 300-million-gallon reservoir from breaking through by pumping water out.

Helicopter crews are also helping to fortify the dam with sandbags to prevent further structural wear.

Some 400 tonnes of sandbags are now shoring up the exposed layer, and MPs have urged quick work in light of rain forecasts.

Ruth George, Labour MP for High Peak, said the reservoir’s location means it could fill with water as quickly as it empties.

She said: “It’s not [a good weather forecast]. It’s going to be a race as to how fast they can pump the water out of the reservoir.

“It fills up very quickly because it has steep-sided hills on either side which run into it.

“We are going to need to know not just why this happened, after an inspection in November, but also whether there will need to be a different design and a whole new dam.”

The Environment Agency has released a severe flood warning for Whaley Bridge, indicating there is a threat to life in the region.

Residents were allowed to visit their homes on Saturday to collect essentials and pets, after being warned they would do so at their own risk.

Locals were escorted back to their homes for brief 15-minute periods, by one officer per household.

However, Derbyshire Police rescinded the allowance on Sunday, as Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Swann said risks from the trip were “extraordinarily high”.

Source: Read Full Article