Residents of a town in Nashville, Illinois have been told to evacuate the area due to an "imminent" dam failure.

Washington County Emergency Management Agency announced that flood damage was identified at the Nashville dam located in the "the Prairie State".

Alongside being told to evacuate their homes immediately, residents have also been informed that a community centre in the town is open for shelter.

Posting on Facebook, the agency said: "Secondary Dam Failure, area has been overtopped with flood waters, please evacuate if you are in the below shaded area!

Evacuation area in Nashville, Illinois Google Maps

"Attention The Failure of the Nashville dam is imminent. Please evacuate your home at this time. If you are in the grey box, you need evacuate now!"

An hour earlier, the agency posted: "Washington County is experiencing an emergency flood situation. 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."

Washington and Clinton County have been upgraded by the National Weather Service from a flash flood warning to a considerable flash flood.

The evacuation area includes Nashville Grade School and Nashville High School.

Across the evacuation area, the agency has reported that between two and five inches of rain have fallen so far.

They said that an additional one to three inches is likely and that flash flooding is expected to begin shortly.

The American Red Cross has been called in to assist, according to the emergency management agency.

Emergency services have also been deployed to the town to assist in water rescues and evacuation.

A dispatcher at the Washington County Sheriff’s office told a local reporter the department "is getting slammed with 911 calls" and that it has dispatched "numerous search and rescues".