Two flood alerts have been issued in Greater Manchester with a ‘be prepared’ warning in place. The alerts, which outline the risk of potential flooding, cover parts of Stockport, Sale, Stretford, Altrincham, Urmston, Cheadle, Wilmslow and Gatley.
The alerts have been put in place on the same day that the Met Office issued weather warnings across parts of Greater Manchester for snow, ice and rain. Heavy snow hit the region on Sunday morning (January 5), causing major road closures and delays, including to flights to and from Manchester Airport.
A flood alert is in place for the Middle River Mersey catchment area, including areas near Bramhall, Stockport, Sale, Altrincham and Urmston.
Flooding is forecast to affect locations near the River Mersey, with low lying land and roads expected to be most affected, according to the Environment Agency, particularly around Micker, Cringle, Sinderland and Poynton Brooks and their tributaries. Other locations which may be affected are Stretford, Gatley, Cheadle Hulme and Cheadle.
The Environment Agency has issued two flood alerts in Greater Manchester
The second is in place for the River Bollin catchment area, including areas around Knutsford, Wilmslow, Macclesfield and Bollington.
Flooding is currently forecast in locations near the Rivers Bollin with low lying land and roads expected to be most affected near the Rivers Bollin and Dean, and Pedley, Birkin and Mobberley Brooks and their tributaries. Areas around Knutsford, Wilmslow, Hale, Macclesfield and Bollington may be affected.
The flood alerts mean flooding is ‘possible’ and that those living in affected areas should ‘prepare now’, according to the Environment Agency.
The latest alerts come just days after parts of Greater Manchester were hit by severe flooding. A major incident was declared on New Year’s Day (January 1), as heavy rain saw flooding across the region. Emergency services evacuated over 1,300 people, with many rescued using boats in the worst-hit areas of Stockport and Didsbury.
If a flood alert is issued, you should:
- Be ready to follow your flood plan
- Have insurance documents and any medications ready
- Avoid walking, cycling or driving through any flood water
- Move any livestock and farming equipment away from areas likely to flood
Find out more about what to do during a flood.