About 200 residents at an apartment block in Stockport are ‘stranded’ in their properties after heavy rain saw an adjacent river burst its banks and flood the entire ground floor and car park.
Firefighters are currently at Meadow Mill which is close to a Tesco Extra in the town centre. The drama started shortly after the New Year when some residents were awoken by water coming through their ceiling. The River Tame has burst its banks.
As three inches of rain fell in just 24 hours, Meadow Mill and scores of others low-lying spots across Greater Manchester reported flooding.
Today (Wednesday), as the emergency services declared a major incident and warned not to travel unless necessary, an estimated 200 residents remain ‘stranded’ at Meadow Mill in Stockport town centre. Pictures and video from the scene showed the car park flooded with many cars completely submerged. Firefighters, including a water rescue unit, was at the scene.
Some residents have been stranded
The ground floor of the apartment block, which contains commercial premises, has also been flooded, leaving people in the 213 apartments above stranded.
One of them, chef Izzy Cubrilo, 28, who lives in her second flood apartment with her two cats, told the Manchester Evening News: “You can’t go downstairs. It’s totally flooded and we’ve been told by the firefighters to stay where we are. There’s no power the water is coming through the ceiling.
“I’ve got pots and pans on my bed catching the water.”
Emergency services at the scene in Stockport
Izzy went on: “I got home at about 1am from New Year’s Eve and went to sleep and woke up about 6am soaking wet in bed. I hadn’t realised my roof had been leaking. I went to turn the light on and there was no power. Power has been cut in the whole mill. They have said they have to get us out today. It’s not safe apparently.”
Another resident rang the Manchester Evening News from her apartment and said: “What a way to start the new year.”
Greater Manchester Police confirmed a major incident had been declared. It said it was dealing with incidents in Bolton, Didsbury, Harpurhey, Stalybridge, Stockport and Wigan.
Flooding at Meadow Mill in Stockport
(Image: Izzy Cubrilo)
Chief Superintendent Colette Rose 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. It is advised to travel if it is only necessary and to take care if out and about.
“Following events overnight a major incident has been declared”
“Our officers with the fire service are in the key locations and can be spoken to if you need anything urgently, as we understand the distress those affected will be faced with as we begin 2025. It will be a continued team effort as we monitor how the weather and water levels progress throughout today.”
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.
Flooding at Meadow Mill in Stockport
(Image: Izzy Cubrilo)
The Environment Agency 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
Firefighters are currently at Meadow Mill
GMP said that 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