BBC Radio Manchester

The water levels are continuing to drop at Whaley Bridge.

Heather Burman
BBC News

The situation in Whaley Bridge is affecting services on East Midlands Trains.

Here's the latest on the situation at Whaley Bridge:

• The town had light showers but avoided the predicted thundery downpours on Sunday night
• Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is due in the area on Monday to meet residents and emergency services
• Wing Commander John Coles, who is leading the military operation at the site, said good progress had been made and he felt they were "through the worst of it"
• Engineers will assess the situation at first light on Monday to see what more military help is needed
• It's thought it will take two more days to get the reservoir to a safe level

Richard Stead
BBC Radio Manchester reporter

Compared to 24 hours ago, things are cautiously more optimistic.

This time yesterday, people were really concerned about a yellow weather warning for torrential downpours and thunderstorms which did not materialise.

I understand there's been good progress overnight.

The reservoir is currently about 50% full and they need to get it to about 25%, to below the area of damage.

The last Chinook helicopter left at 00:10 and it is due to come back later on Monday to help with the military operation to save the dam.

BBC Weather

The rain held off overnight in Whaley Bridge but figures from the Environment Agency show the area got up to 240% of the total expected rainfall for July in just seven days.

The agency's rain gauge at the nearby Cat and Fiddle saw 210mm (8in) of rain from 26 July to 1 August and another at New Mills recorded 177mm (7in) of rainfall during the same period.

The average for that area in July is about 88mm (3in).

Image source, Reuters

Heather Burman
BBC News

Father Jamie Mcleod, who lives in Whaley Bridge, said he has had very little sleep for three days as he continues to supply food to emergency workers.

He said: "Some people working there have been there for 50-odd hours, working non-stop.

"We're asking for food donations, so drinks, biscuits, whatever people can put together that we can take to the workmen, soldiers and police, so that they're getting fed while they're doing their shifts."

He has asked anyone with food donations to drop them at Whaley Hall, via Whaley Lane.

Image source, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service

Richard Stead
BBC Radio Manchester reporter

Road closures around Whaley Bridge are affecting the whole of the High Peak area.

The disruption is likely to continue for some time as the A6 is closed between Chapel-en-le-Frith and the New Mills area and that means any kind of car journey for commuters during Monday's rush hour is going to be affected.

Trains between Manchester and Sheffield are badly hit, in particular the line between Whaley Bridge and Stockport.

It's also making short journeys for local people difficult, and it's going to be some time before things return to normal.

Police warn Whaley Bridge residents who have not left their homes that they are risking lives.

Danny Savage
North of England correspondent

The weather has held off today at Whaley Bridge, which meant that the pumps could continue reducing water levels at the same rate.

So perhaps, within 48 hours, we may be in a position where the authorities can think about moving people back into their homes.

About 1,500 people were evacuated after part of the dam ruptured at Toddbrook Reservoir on Thursday.

Image source, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service

Heather Burman
BBC News

What a sight.

At the last count there were 24 fire service pumps helping to take water out of Toddbrook Reservoir.

They're reducing the level by about 10cm (4in) every hour.

PA News

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will travel to the Whaley Bridge area on Monday to meet residents and emergency workers.

It follows Friday's visit by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Heather Burman
BBC News

It's not just water that's being pumped out of the reservoir, emergency workers are also building a new road near the dam at Whaley Bridge, so vehicles can access the waterside.

Richard Stead
BBC Radio Manchester reporter

There was a light shower as predicted at about midnight but thankfully it has now stopped.

The cloud cover is quite high at the moment and I can see one or two stars through the gaps in the clouds, but it looks like we're not due for any real heavy thunder showers over the next hour or so.

Richard Stead
BBC Radio Manchester reporter

Throughout the day, engineers have continued to pump water out of Toddbrook Reservoir and into the River Goyt.

Luckily, water levels have dropped on the river in the Marple Bridge and Stockport areas, so there is sufficient capacity there for the water and that's a huge relief for the Environment Agency which is constantly monitoring levels.

Everything could have gone wrong if the weather had been bad this evening but thankfully we've had a break.

Image source, Nev Clarke

Heather Burman
BBC News

The man behind the military operation to help shore up Toddbrook Reservoir has said things are looking positive tonight.

Wing Commander John Coles said: "We're very fortunate that we've not had any rain this afternoon at all, so we're in a complete net gain.

"The pumps are pumping water out and the levels are lowering."

He said the Chinook helicopters had managed to put bags of aggregate exactly where they were needed.

"There's very much a sense that we've got through the worst of it," Wing Commander Coles said.

Wesley Mallin
Reporter, BBC Radio Derby

It's a weird spectacle before me now at Whaley Bridge as you have this strand of cloud above the horizon, a beautiful crescent moon has just appeared, but you've also got the yellow glow of Stockport.

Looking into the valley, it is very dark across there as all those homes have been evacuated but there is a huge floodlight over the dam itself which has been set up.

Liam Bradford
BBC Radio Manchester

I'm at the Palace Hotel in Buxton where some of the evacuees and firefighters are staying, and spirits are very high.

The majority of people seem to be taking things in their stride and remaining positive.

However, some people are concerned about the amount of time they will have to stay away from home, including Carla, who is here with her one-year-old son Freddie.

She said her son had run out of clean clothes and nappies and was getting frustrated being out of his normal routine.

Image source, Google

Heather Burman
BBC News

A team of volunteers have been locating and rescuing pets from inside the evacuation zone at Whaley Bridge.

Ben Pudsey from Pet Search UK said: "We're having to make sure we follow safety precautions advised by the police and it's a case of 15 minutes in and out."

Image source, Pet Search

Ben said the team had rescued many animals, including cats and a cockatiel named Joey.

"Fifteen minutes for some people isn't long enough as they may be elderly, infirm or maybe they're just weighing the risk.

"The risk is very high. Police are advising you not to go in and people have had to make that difficult decision that they're not going to enter their homes to retrieve their beloved pets, so we're on the ground yesterday and today to provide that service," he said.

Heather Burman
BBC News

Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Swann said emergency services had been inundated with offers of help from volunteers at Whaley Bridge.

She urged anyone who wanted to help out to send an email outlining their skills to emergency.planning@derbyshire.gov.uk or call the helpline on 01629 533190.

Image source, YUI MOK/PA Media