Workers race to drain water from Toddbrook Reservoir
Nearby Whaley Bridge evacuated yesterday when heavy rain damaged dam wall
Around 1,500 people are thought to have left the town
Fire crews pumping water out while Chinook helicopter helps shore up wall
Reservoir level reduced by more than half a metre so far
PM Boris Johnson arrives to meet those affected
Residents to be allowed home to collect belongings
Roads around town remain closed and trains disrupted
Nick Smith
BBC News Online
Matt Forrest, who lives in the upper part of Whaley Bridge, said Morrisons in Chapel-en-le-Frith was noticeably busier this morning.
Mr Forrest said: "I had my breakfast at Morrisons... earlier today and half of Whaley Bridge seemed to be there.
"Whaley Bridge is a close community and everyone is helping each other out."
Nick Smith
BBC News Online
A great close-up shot of the Chinook crew on its way in to drop aggregate.
This photo was shared on Twitter by Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, who said: "Massive thank you to RAF & everyone else for their support as we continue to deal with the incident at Toddbrook Reservoir in Whaley Bridge."
Image source, DFRSNick Smith
BBC News Online
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David Shukman
Science editor, BBC News
This isn’t the first time communities have faced the nightmare of a dam that could collapse.
Back in 2007 a dam near Rotherham was the cause of a major alert, and the scenario is very similar to now.
Torrential rain had filled the Ulley reservoir to overflowing. Cracks appeared in the dam itself. People downstream were told to leave.
The M1 motorway was in the path of a potential burst so part of it was closed.
Image source, Getty ImagesAs with the dam at Whaley Bridge, the one at Ulley was built in the 19th century with the same combination of clay and mud.
In the end, pumps relieved the pressure and nearly 3,000 tonnes of rock strengthened the structure so the emergency passed.
But over the following three years a huge repair operation costing £3.8m was needed. And a major review of the 2007 floods was highly critical of the way many of Britain’s dams are monitored.
Whatever happens at Whaley Bridge, questions will be asked about safety and whether ageing infrastructure can cope with the heavier downpours predicted as the climate warms.
Sandish Shoker
BBC News
The National Fire Chiefs' Council says fire crews are currently pumping 4.2 million litres of water per hour from Toddbrook Reservoir to bring water levels down.
Chairman Roy Wilsher, said: "This is yet another example of the excellent coordinated response by the UK Fire and Rescue Service.
"This coordinated approach shows how we can get the right equipment and people in place quickly and efficiently, while working closely with others."
Amy Woodfield
BBC News
Tilly Owen and her partner Arran Fox only moved into their home in Whaley Bridge in October.
She said she liked the idea of living in the village because it was "cute and sweet" and the the sort of place where "nothing bad ever happens".
Image source, Tilly OwenNow she said the village looks like the scene of an apocalypse.
The couple were both at work when the village started being evacuated - they found out from a friend living nearby.
Image source, Tilly OwenThey managed to go inside their house to pack a bag, and have been staying with Arran's parents ever since.
She said she's worried about her home but at the moment it "doesn't seem real".
A firefighter from West Yorkshire tweeted pictures of crews helping out in Whaley Bridge.
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Amy Woodfield
BBC News
The Chinook from RAF Odiham in Hampshire has already dropped approximately 150 tonnes of aggregate into Toddbrook and will continue working throughout the day.
BBC News
The image below shows which areas are affected by the "severe flood risk" announced by the Environment Agency yesterday.
The reservoir sits some 25m (82ft) higher than the town, with the majority of the low-lying areas at risk of flooding.
Jennifer Meierhans
BBC News Online
Sarah Rudy at the Canal & River Trust said the charity was doing all it could but timescales were unclear.
She said: "Inflows into the reservoir eased overnight and we have been able to make progress in drawing down the water however there is still some way to go
"We appreciate that the people of Whaley Bridge will want clarity on timescales, and they have our utmost sympathy, however this is a complex operation and timescales are not currently clear.
"We are doing all we can, with our colleagues at the Environment Agency, Derbyshire Police, Derbyshire County Council and the Fire & Rescue Service, and further updates will follow."
Amy Woodfield
BBC News
Firefighters from the Mid and West Wales service are among those helping helping to reduce the water level of Toddbrook Reservoir.
In total fire crews are pumping out around 4.2m litres of water per hour.
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Amy Woodfield
BBC News
The Chinook helicopters taking sandbags to the dam are dominating the sky above the village.
Gary Lane from the RAF has explained more about what they're doing.
Image source, Getty ImagesHe said: “We are trying to shore up the dam. The crew are flying from the B5470 , part of which has been closed, and are picking up sandbags which have been supplied by a local quarry.
"The bags are all lined up and the aircraft picks them up and flies them to the reservoir.
"There are four people on the aircraft, including two pilots. It’s a precision activity.
"We are working down to the square centimetre to make sure it goes in the right place. We have carried out exercises like this before but never on a dam.
“We have done 150 tonnes so far – most of that is on the dam. We are being advised by the engineers where to drop the bags and will stop when they are happy.”
Jennifer Meierhans
BBC News Online
Toddbrook Reservoir is the responsibility of the Canal and River Trust.
A spokeswoman said: "We inspect it yearly and we have an independent inspection every 10 years.
"These coincided in November 2018 and both were absolutely fine.
"Our engineers also inspect the reservoir twice weekly and this is how we picked up the problem."
Gavin Bevis
BBC News
Whaley Bridge resident Marion Gardner says she first found out about the dam's partial collapse from a holidaying friend who saw a notification on his phone.
She said: "The first I knew about it was when I was sat at home and my phone started ringing with an international number.
"I picked it up and it was a friend of ours on holiday in Ibiza who’d had a news flash on his phone and wanted it to check we were alright.
"It’s quite amazing really. It’s come as quite a shock."
Amy Woodfield
BBC News
More than 20 hours since the village was evacuated, the severe flood warning for Whaley Bridge remains in place.
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Gavin Bevis
BBC News
The local cricket pitch is offering a good vantage point of the dam for people.
It's a really hot and sunny day here now - total contrast from the grey skies and rain over the last few days.
BBC Radio 5 Live
Whaley Bridge residents have posted photographs of their local beauty spots and reflected on how they feel about the place now.
Kirsty Georgeson posted on Instagram that she once saw Toddbrook Reservoir as a place of calm and relaxation but now it fills her anxiety and dread.
Bev Goldberg uploaded a photograph of her and son Jack at the top of the dam taken two days ago.
She wrote: "This whole situation is just beyond words and as I lie in bed listening to the helicopters I just cant comprehend what could happen to our village."
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Amy Woodfield
BBC News
The environment secretary is holding a meeting later to discuss the response to the Whaley Bridge dam wall collapse.
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Amy Woodfield
BBC News
Stuart said the scenes in the village are "unbelievable".
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