Emotional residents have briefly returned to their homes in Whaley Bridge – hours after the environment minister warned that lives are in danger if a dam breaks.
The Derbyshire village has been told to leave because of a dangerous fault at the Toddbrook Reservoir but have been allowed back to collect essentials.
Around 1,000 people have been forced from their homes, with experts warning lives will be lost if the dam breaks.
Derbyshire Police has said anyone who returns to their homes does so at their own risk, but many have briefly gone back to pick up belongings.
Dan Curley, 28, owns pub The Cock in Whaley Bridge and had been back to pick up clothes on Saturday.
He said: "I snuck in the back, they wouldn't let me in this morning.
"I just wanted to get some clean clothes for my little boy and some food for the dog."
He said he had heard he may not be allowed back in for seven days but said the loss in trade at the pub would be covered by insurance.
He said: "I just want to get back to normal now."
Joan Pass, 78, was in tears after she returned to her home in the village to collect belongings.
She said: "We were out within 10 minutes on Thursday.
"The bells were ringing, I didn't know what the bells were ringing for, my daughter said get out, get your passport and your medication.
"I thought it was a bomb."
She said her daughter's house in nearby Kettleshulme had been destroyed by flooding on Wednesday.
Mrs Pass, who is currently staying with a friend, said she was allowed back in for 15 minutes to collect essentials.
She said: "It was terrible. The helicopter was coming over. You see pictures on the television but when you come home it all seems real."
Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised that the damaged reservoir would have a "major rebuild" as he met locals at nearby Chapel-en-le-Frith High School, which is being used as an evacuation centre.
Labour MP for High Peak Ruth George said she had written to the Prime Minister following his visit.
She said: "It's not just about the emergency situation, Whaley Bridge as a town needs to be able to feel safe and we need to know what the options are."
She said residents had been "absolutely brilliant" dealing with the crisis.
She said: "We've always had great community spirit but we've got it in spades now."
She added: "We're expecting lots and lots of rain over the next few days so I can quite understand the authorities not being prepared to say it's safe until those storms have gone."
Environment minister Therese Coffey this morning said the situation in Derbyshire remains "critical" and told residents not to go back.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, she said there is "no doubt" there is still a threat to life.
Dr Coffey stated: "I think we are still in that critical stage, that's why we still have the severe flood warning.
"They are at risk if they are in that main town and I'm glad that people have responded."
She continued: "I cannot emphasise enough how patient they need to be.
"Of course this is a distressing and worrying time for them, but if that dam were to breach it would lead to a loss of life if there people there. There's no doubt about that."
Emergency services are today continuing their efforts to prevent the damaged dam from collapsing as forecasters warn more bad weather could be on the way.
Water levels at the Toddbrook Reservoir in Whaley Bridge have been reduced by half a metre since Thursday but the damage to the 180-year-old structure remains at a "critical level".
Evacuated residents spent another night away from their homes on Friday and police warned it could be several days before they are allowed to return.
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