Nashville dam on verge of ‘imminent collapse’ sparking evacuation of city

More than 3,000 people have been told to evacuate – or be washed away – as a dam is moments away from bursting.

Residents of Nashville, in the US 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.

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.’

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 floowaters.

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