Thousands of people have been told to evacuate – or be washed away – as a dam is moments away from bursting.
Residents of Nashville, a town of more than 3,000 in the state of Illinois, are being urged to abandon their homes amid flood damage at the Nashville dam.
Washington County declared an emergency an hour ago amid flash flooding and a failure at the dam.
Just after 10.30am local time (4.30pm GMT), a warning of ‘life-threatening’ flash flooding has been issued.
The Washington County IL Emergency Management Agency has called for people near the Nashville City Reservoir to leave and head to shelters.
It released an eerie warning, repeating over and over again: ‘Attention. The failure of the Nashville Dam is imminent.
‘Please evacuate your home at this time. The community centre is open for shelter.’
The evacuation area includes Nashville Grade School and Nashville High School.
Just an hour earlier, the agency posted: ‘Washington County is experiencing an emergency flood situation.
Area that will be hit by flash floods
Washington County warned that the below areas will experience flash floods:
Breese, New Baden, Carlyle, Nashville, Okawville, Germantown, Albers, Wamac, Beckemeyer, Lively Grove, Irvington, Ashley, Shattuc, New Memphis, Boulder, Posen, Bartelso, Beaucoup, Hoyleton and Johannisburg
‘Stay at home unless evacuations are needed. Do NOT attempt travel. Many roads are underwater with another 2-4 inches of rain possible. Crossing flooded areas may result in permanent injury or death.’
Bu the advice changed as the situation worsened by the minute. Thunderstorms continue to slam Nashville and between 2 and 6 inches of rain have fallen.
One person is already believed to be trapped inside their home, local media has reported.
Charles Meier, Illinois state representative, said rain is continuing to pour across Nashville, only worsening the flooding.
He told NBC5: ‘The area has received seven inches of rain already, and it is still coming down fast.
‘I am receiving conflicting reports. I am being told that the water is going through the emergency overflow.’
Meier confirmed that water has reached people’s homes, urging them to not try to walk and drive through floodwaters.
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