People have been forced to flee their homes and others rescued with torrential downpours causing ‘severe’ and ‘significant’ flooding across Greater Manchester.
Rivers have burst their banks with streets becoming submerged and homes being swamped. Emergency services have had to rescue people stuck in floating cars and those trapped in properties.
Parts of the region have seen more than 80mm (three inches) of rain fall in the last 24 hours. Rivers including the River Tame in Tameside and the Mersey in Stockport have risen to record heighs in places. City centre canals have overflowed whilst there have been issues around the River Medlock in the city centre and east Manchester.
Transport chiefs urged people not to travel by train this morning and to only drive ‘if absolutely neccessary.’ The heavy rainfall began causing issues in the early hours.
Those living near the Micker Brook, a tributary of the River Mersey, said roads in and around Cheadle were submerged with water getting into their homes and their electrics being cut. One family said the water in their home was two feet deep. Several said they had been forced to flee to safety.
Cars stranded on the A34 in Cheadle
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
In Broadbottom, Tameside, locals said a wall collapsed onto cars before water came gushing into houses. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue (GMFRS) said they were experiencing a ‘high number’ of flood related calls.
As daylight broke this morning, the extent of the issues being experienced across the region then began to emerge. At Meadow Mill in Stockport, on the banks of the River Tame, residents said they are ‘trapped’ and are currently being evacuated by emergency services.
Pictures showed fire crews and paramedics at the building, where the lower floors and car park have been flooded leaving it cut off. One said it can now only be reached by boat.
Cars outside Meadow Mill in Stockport
(Image: submitted)
Timperley in Trafford, Millbrook in Stalybridge, Tameside, and Saddleworth, Oldham, Bolton, Didsbury, Harpurhey and Wigan are among the other areas that have seen flooding.
A total of 55 flood warnings – which means flooding is expected and nearby residents should ‘act now’ – are currently in place across the region, along with 15 flood alerts, which mean flooding is possible.
In its last update around three hours ago, the Environment Agency (EA) said: “Dozens of #flood warnings across Gtr Mcr as heavy rain continues. Our teams were out working in the early hours to reduce flood risk, including monitoring flood defence assets like Didsbury Basin.”
Flooding at Bramhall Park roundabout
(Image: Andy Cronshaw)
The EA say that if your area has a flood warning or severe flood warning you should:
- turn off your gas, electricity and water supplies, if it’s safe to do so – do not touch an electrical switch if you’re standing in water
- move your family, vehicles, pets and important items to safety, for example upstairs or to higher ground
- if you have them, use flood protection products, for example flood barriers or air brick covers
- follow advice from your local council or the emergency services
A number of key routes have been rendered inpassible. They include the A555 Airport Relief Road in Stockport where pictures showed the occupants of several vehicles having to be rescued after their vehicles became stuck. Others currently closed include the:
- M56, junctions six to eight
- A34 Handforth Bypass
- A34 Kingsway
- White Carr Lane, Wythenshawe
- Wilmslow Road, Cheadle
- Manchester Old Road, Middleton
- Tiviot Way, Stockport
- Delph New Road, Delph
- Store Street, Manchester city centre
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said that many smaller roads had also been affected by flooding with drivers advised to ‘exercise caution and only drive if absolutely necessary.’ Roads closures mean a host of bus services are having to be diverted.
They said ‘all modes of transport have been affected.’ There are currently no Metrolink trams running between Firswood and Trafford Bar on the East Didsbury line, between Wythenshawe Town Centre and Manchester Airport on the Airport line, and between Shaw and Crompton and Rochdale Town Centre on the Rochdale and Oldham line sdue to flooding affecting the tracks.
Whilst train companies issued warnings for people not to travel. Transpennine Express said flooding was causing ‘significant issues’ Greater Manchester and Cheshire.
“With the heavy rain set to continue for several hours, further flooding is likely and rail travellers have been advised to delay journeys, at least until the afternoon” they said.
The track has flooded near Piccadilly station meaning many trains are being cancelled and diverted. Among the routes affected are trains between Manchester and Manchester Airport, Liverpool Lime Street, Sheffield, Todmorden and Rochdale.
If flooding has affected your area, you can contact Floodline on 0345 988 1188 or by text on 0345 602 6340, or contact your local authority