Face of Nation : Workers have reduced the water level at the 300-million-gallon Toddbrook Reservoir near Whaley Bridge. But the risk of collapse remains at a “critical level” and there is a yellow weather warning for the area on Sunday.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited on Friday and promised a “major rebuild” of the dam. Some 1,500 residents of Whaley Bridge were evacuated after part of the reservoir’s spillway broke away on Thursday following heavy rain.
Police, the Environment Agency, and the Canal and River Trust, which owns the reservoir, have all said there is a “real risk” the dam could collapse and flood the town. Speaking to evacuees at Chapel-en-le-Frith High School, Mr Johnson said he had flown over the structure on Friday. He described it as looking “dodgy but stable” and told residents they would be “properly housed” if the dam burst.
It became damaged after large swathes of the country were battered by heavy rain and floods earlier in the week. An RAF Chinook helicopter has put 400 tonnes of sandbags on the affected part of the dam in an attempt to shore it up, while pumps are being used to remove water from the reservoir. On Friday night, evacuated residents were allowed to return briefly to collect pets and essentials.
The controlled operation allowed one resident per household back into their homes for 15 minutes. People had complained they were made to leave in such a hurry that they had barely anything they needed with them. It is unclear when the residents will be able to go home permanently, but they are being told by police to expect to be gone for days.
