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| Peak District town evacuated as dam threatens to burst | Peak District town evacuated as dam threatens to burst |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A Peak District town was being evacuated on Thursday afternoon as a reservoir above it looked set to burst. | A Peak District town was being evacuated on Thursday afternoon as a reservoir above it looked set to burst. |
| Residents of Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire, were told to leave their homes and make arrangements to stay with friends or family “for a number of days” after severe downpoursdamaged the dam holding back the Toddbrook reservoir, leaving it at risk of collapse. | |
| Business owners and visitors were earlier advised to leave the town so any evacuation could “be done as quickly and safely as possible”. Road closures and diversions were already in place. | Business owners and visitors were earlier advised to leave the town so any evacuation could “be done as quickly and safely as possible”. Road closures and diversions were already in place. |
| Officers from Derbyshire police were on the scene at the reservoir along with the local fire and rescue service, mountain rescue and ambulance services and Environment Agency staff. | Officers from Derbyshire police were on the scene at the reservoir along with the local fire and rescue service, mountain rescue and ambulance services and Environment Agency staff. |
| Engineers were trying to drain the reservoir into the nearby River Goyt in an effort to reduce pressure on the dam. However, the Met Office has issued a warning that heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected in the area on Thursday evening, which will complicate efforts to protect the weakened structure. | |
| Flood risk maps showed that if the dam burst it could leave parts of Whaley Bridge and many areas downstream along the river under up to 2 metres of water. | |
| “There is a high probability that there will be significant flooding due to damage caused in recent severe weather,” a Derbyshire police spokesperson said. | “There is a high probability that there will be significant flooding due to damage caused in recent severe weather,” a Derbyshire police spokesperson said. |
| “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. | “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.” | “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.” |
| People evacuated from the town were told to make their way to Chapel high school, several miles away in the neighbouring town of Chapel-en-le-Frith, where police officers and emergency workers would provide further direction. | People evacuated from the town were told to make their way to Chapel high school, several miles away in the neighbouring town of Chapel-en-le-Frith, where police officers and emergency workers would provide further direction. |
| “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,” police said. “If people do not have somewhere to go then they will be accommodated, however, there is limited capacity to do so.” | “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,” police said. “If people do not have somewhere to go then they will be accommodated, however, there is limited capacity to do so.” |
| Whaley Bridge is a thriving town right on the edge of the Peak District and part of the Dark Peak. It is bisected by the River Goyt, which runs down from Buxton and towards Stockport. | |
| Built in 1831, the Toddbrook reservoir sits high above the town. It is a popular spot for sailing and open water swimming, and is dammed by a huge concrete wall that normally does not even have a trickle of water running down it. The walk along the path on top of the dam is popular with dog walkers and other locals, and provides a link to a busy skate park. | Built in 1831, the Toddbrook reservoir sits high above the town. It is a popular spot for sailing and open water swimming, and is dammed by a huge concrete wall that normally does not even have a trickle of water running down it. The walk along the path on top of the dam is popular with dog walkers and other locals, and provides a link to a busy skate park. |
| Beneath the dam there is playground with a zipwire and Memorial Park, created in 1920 to commemorate the loss of 108 local men in the first world war. There are houses on either side of the reservoir. Below it is the main town, which has a number of pubs, restaurants, a bakery and two chip shops, as well as a primary school and cricket club. | |
| If the dam bursts, it may not only be Whaley Bridge under threat, but also the neighbouring settlements of Buxworth and Taxal, and potentially other villages and towns further down the Goyt valley. | If the dam bursts, it may not only be Whaley Bridge under threat, but also the neighbouring settlements of Buxworth and Taxal, and potentially other villages and towns further down the Goyt valley. |
| Just before 2pm the Environment Agency issued a severe flood warning in the area. | Just before 2pm the Environment Agency issued a severe flood warning in the area. |
| “River levels in the River Goyt could rise rapidly as a result of water coming from Toddbrook reservoir,” the agency said. “Please be aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with the current situation, and avoid using low-lying footpaths near local watercourses.” | |
| The risk comes from damage to an earth dam on the town side of the Toddbrook reservoir, where a concrete spillway is designed to take excess water into the River Goyt. On Wednesday evening torrents of water had flowed straight over the barrier “like Niagara Falls”, according to witnesses. Waters subsided slightly on Thursday morning, revealing significant damage to the spillway. | |
| Such earth embankment dams are at serious risk of being quickly washed away if the concrete spillways that protect them are damaged, according to Mohammad Heidarzadeh, an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at Brunel University London. | |
| “In embankment dams, spillways are extremely important because they prevent embankment dams from overtopping,” he said. “Due to heavy rainfall in the 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.” | |
| Chris Gay, the commodore of the Toddbrook sailing club, which sails on the reservoir, said: “If you were there last night, it was just like Niagara falls. That’s obviously eroded the earth from behind the concrete slabs. The water level is still high and therefore probably – I’m no expert in this – but erosion is still taking place.” | Chris Gay, the commodore of the Toddbrook sailing club, which sails on the reservoir, said: “If you were there last night, it was just like Niagara falls. That’s obviously eroded the earth from behind the concrete slabs. The water level is still high and therefore probably – I’m no expert in this – but erosion is still taking place.” |
| Gay, who lives just outside Whaley Bridge, said his wife, who was born and bred in the area, had never seen anything like the overflow at the dam in 60 years. “We’ve seen it trickling over, but we’ve never seen it in full force. It was pretty incredible; it was pretty shocking actually.” | Gay, who lives just outside Whaley Bridge, said his wife, who was born and bred in the area, had never seen anything like the overflow at the dam in 60 years. “We’ve seen it trickling over, but we’ve never seen it in full force. It was pretty incredible; it was pretty shocking actually.” |
| Edwina Currie, the former Conservative MP, also lives in the town. She told the BBC: “Evacuation is absolutely necessary. I don’t think they’ve got any choice. People are being advised not to take pictures. We are really very, very worried. | Edwina Currie, the former Conservative MP, also lives in the town. She told the BBC: “Evacuation is absolutely necessary. I don’t think they’ve got any choice. People are being advised not to take pictures. We are really very, very worried. |
| “People are being advised – wisely – not to take any risk there. We’ve had people wandering around trying to take pictures. Please don’t. It’s not really very safe at the moment.” | “People are being advised – wisely – not to take any risk there. We’ve had people wandering around trying to take pictures. Please don’t. It’s not really very safe at the moment.” |
| The Met Office forecast “much drier” weather on Thursday after homes were evacuated and stranded people were rescued as a result of flooding in parts of the UK. | The Met Office forecast “much drier” weather on Thursday after homes were evacuated and stranded people were rescued as a result of flooding in parts of the UK. |
| A major incident was declared late on Wednesday evening in Poynton, Cheshire, where thunderstorms and downpours forced drivers to abandon their vehicles and caused damage to property. The wet weather also caused rail disruption on the line between Manchester airport and Wilmslow early on Thursday. | A major incident was declared late on Wednesday evening in Poynton, Cheshire, where thunderstorms and downpours forced drivers to abandon their vehicles and caused damage to property. The wet weather also caused rail disruption on the line between Manchester airport and Wilmslow early on Thursday. |
| Cheshire fire and rescue service (CFRS) said firefighters, emergency services personnel and staff from Highways England were helping those affected and a rest centre had been established at Poynton civic hall. | Cheshire fire and rescue service (CFRS) said firefighters, emergency services personnel and staff from Highways England were helping those affected and a rest centre had been established at Poynton civic hall. |
| Police urged people not to ignore “road closed” signs by driving or walking through water. “Your car could become submerged and the road underneath could have collapsed, putting you in danger,” the local force said on Twitter. | Police urged people not to ignore “road closed” signs by driving or walking through water. “Your car could become submerged and the road underneath could have collapsed, putting you in danger,” the local force said on Twitter. |
| CFRS said: “Crews and police officers are working very hard to get to those in need and the most vulnerable in our communities.” | CFRS said: “Crews and police officers are working very hard to get to those in need and the most vulnerable in our communities.” |
| Poynton fire station said its crews had attended more than 20 incidents, rescuing at least 11 people in a four-hour period. | Poynton fire station said its crews had attended more than 20 incidents, rescuing at least 11 people in a four-hour period. |
| Police in nearby Wilmslow said officers were dealing with flooding and had evacuated homes, with Oakenclough children’s centre open as a rest centre. | Police in nearby Wilmslow said officers were dealing with flooding and had evacuated homes, with Oakenclough children’s centre open as a rest centre. |
| Luke Miall, a Met Office forecaster, said sporadic rain was likely on Thursday in central and western Scotland and northern England, possibly as far south as Yorkshire. | Luke Miall, a Met Office forecaster, said sporadic rain was likely on Thursday in central and western Scotland and northern England, possibly as far south as Yorkshire. |
| “There may be some showers but they’re likely to not be as frequent nor as significant as the last few days,” he said. South-west England and parts of Wales may also see occasional showers. | “There may be some showers but they’re likely to not be as frequent nor as significant as the last few days,” he said. South-west England and parts of Wales may also see occasional showers. |
| On Wednesday the Environment Agency put out multiple flood warnings and alerts covering central, north-west and north-east England. Photos shared on social media showed the aftermath of heavy rain that struck Horwich in Bolton on Wednesday. | On Wednesday the Environment Agency put out multiple flood warnings and alerts covering central, north-west and north-east England. Photos shared on social media showed the aftermath of heavy rain that struck Horwich in Bolton on Wednesday. |
| Jess, 20, was caught in the “mammoth” rain that flooded roads to “shin height”, according to posts she shared on Twitter. “I had my dog with me and as we crossed the road she almost got swept away, so I had to pull her across to me and pick her up,” she told PA Media. “I then waded through the rest of the water, about a foot and a half deep. I’ve never seen water that deep in such a residential area before.” | Jess, 20, was caught in the “mammoth” rain that flooded roads to “shin height”, according to posts she shared on Twitter. “I had my dog with me and as we crossed the road she almost got swept away, so I had to pull her across to me and pick her up,” she told PA Media. “I then waded through the rest of the water, about a foot and a half deep. I’ve never seen water that deep in such a residential area before.” |
| On Thursday morning across England there were 17 flood warnings, meaning immediate action was required, and 27 flood alerts advising people to be prepared. | On Thursday morning across England there were 17 flood warnings, meaning immediate action was required, and 27 flood alerts advising people to be prepared. |
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