Homes in the northwest were left flooded and some people stranded after heavy rain battered the region – there was also further travel chaos and police declared a major incident
A major incident was declared(Image: William Lailey / SWNS)
Police declared a major incident in the northwest after rain battered the region, causing travel chaos and flooded homes.
Remarkable images from the air show submerged areas in Manchester, Stockport, Wigan and Bolton. TransPennine Express had to issue a ‘do not travel’ warning in the north of England. A number of roads had to be closed, while some people in a block of flats in Stockport were left stranded, SWNS reported.
Photographs show how the newly-converted Meadow Mill on Water Street was left completely surrounded by flood water as fire crews prepared boats to reach anyone stranded.
‘The fact I’ve still got a couple of Proseccos still in me has taken the edge of this situation'(Image: William Lailey / SWNS)
One resident Helen Scott told the BBC: “I had a little bit of sleep and I’ve woken up to all of the car park and the entire first floor completely submerged in water.
“The fact I’ve still got a couple of Proseccos still in me has taken the edge of this situation.
“Give me a couple of hours and I think the horror of the start of 2025 is going to sink in.”
The Environment Agency and Highways England, alongside emergency and specialist services like mountain rescue, have been deployed to assist with transport and travel.
Flooding outside a newly converted Meadow Mill on Water street in Stockpor(Image: William Lailey / SWNS)
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service also responded to reports of damage, risk to life and stranded vehicles.
Chief Superintendent Colette Rose, of Greater Manchester Police, said: “Following events overnight a major incident has been declared.
“This is to ensure we can continue to keep people safe through a co-ordinated effort from our collective emergency services, supported by key partner agencies.
“Anyone affected should check the relevant detail being shared by their local council, the fire service and Transport for Greater Manchester to ensure they can get the support available, which include any road closures and information centres for those displaced.
Residents were left trapped(Image: William Lailey / SWNS)
Ell Henderson, a 28-year-old resident of Meadow Mill in Stockport, who was waiting to be evacuated on Wednesday, said: “We’d been out for New Year’s Eve but when we got back last night, it wasn’t anything like it is now.
“It must’ve started around 3:30am. Then at around 7:30am, the power went out, and we walked into our front room to find out what was going on.
“We looked out the window, and it was like a swimming pool outside – the water was about a foot deep. We ran into someone else in the hall, who said they’d been advised to stay inside and wait for further updates.
“Four hours later, we went to the main reception and saw emergency services blowing up rafts. We heard they were preparing to make evacuations – but we don’t know when that’s going to be.
“To be honest, we’re going a bit stir crazy and claustrophobic trapped inside. Luckily, I have family to go to after being evacuated – not everyone in this block will have that luxury.”
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