LONDON (AP) — British police have ordered the evacuation of a town of 6,500 residents in northwest England over fears that a dam could collapse.

The Derbyshire Police force says residents of Whaley Bridge should leave their homes because of the "significant threat to life."

A dam wall at the 19th-century Toddbrook Reservoir above the town has been damaged by days of heavy rain that has caused flooding across northern England.

The police force urged residents Thursday to leave their homes and head for a local school.

Police in the town 175 miles (280 kilometers) northwest of London tweeted: "This is not a decision that has been taken lightly and we appreciate that there is significant impact on this community, however this is an unprecedented, fast-moving emergency situation."