'Major incident' declared as flooding hits Greater Manchester
It follows heavy rainfall on New Year's Eve
Last updated 1st Jan 2025
A major incident has been declared, as emergency services work together to respond to flooding in Greater Manchester.
READ MORE: On Wednesday evening, 500 people are being evacuated from a hotel.
Around 2,500 properties across the North West have been left without power, mostly in Greater Manchester.
The Bridgewater Canal breached at Dunham Massey, for the first time since 1971.
Stockport Council said it has started to evacuate the Meadow Mill block of flats, after the water level dropped to a level that residents could walk out of the building.
READ MORE: Stockport Council statement in full
Greater Manchester Police declared it a major incident and say they're co-ordinating the response alongside Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue service.
The Environment Agency, Highways England and mountain rescue were also deployed to assist with transport and travel and where needed help with the response by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue as reports continues around damage, risk to life and stranded vehicles.
On the response, Chief Superintendent Colette Rose from GMP 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.
“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.”
"Urgent" safety advice from Electricity North West
Teams from the region's power grid are responding to issues including flooded electricity substations and damaged underground cables.
Richard Moulton, Incident Manager at Electricity North West, said: "We build flood protections into our high risk sites, but when these are breached and water enters our equipment the power will cut off for safety reasons. If you're without power, it may be because your local substation, or the cable between the substation and your property, is flooded.
"Our teams are out on site making repairs as fast as we can, but in many cases we will have to wait until the flood water recedes before we can access sites and restore power safely.
"We are responsible for all the cables up to your meter, so if you have a power cut or your meter has been flooded, contact Electricity North West in the first instance so we can assess and repair any network issues, keep you safe and advise next steps. In some cases you may need to contact a private qualified electrician to assess or repair your meter following a flood."
Advice from Electricity North West during a flood:
Make sure any appliances or electrical equipment is switched off.
Turn off your power supply by the isolator switch but only if it's safe to do so.
Do not touch any electricity points when standing in water.
Check any elderly or sick neighbours or relatives to make sure they are safe.
After a flood:
If your supply is still on or has been underwater and comes back on, contact a qualified electrician.
If your meter point has been underwater or still have no electricity please contact us on 105 or report a power cut for us to do a safety check.
If you can smell smoke or you are in any doubt, contact a qualified electrician or contact us on 105.
Some homes evacuated
In a statement, the leader of Manchester City Council confirmed some properties had been evacuated.
Cllr Bev Craig said: "We have been working closely with the police, fire service and Environment Agency through the night to monitor water levels across the city - and provide support and guidance to our residents who might be affected. Some residents have been asked to evacuate where the Environment Agency has issued flood warnings, and these residents have been contacted directly and supported.
"Thankfully we are seeing signs that water levels are beginning to fall, and it is unlikely that further evacuations will be necessary. However, water levels will continue to be monitored over the coming hours.
"We would ask anyone who is travelling today to take extra care and check the TfGM website for the latest updates and advice. And you can find information about what to do if your area is at risk of flooding on the Council's website.
"I would like to thank our emergency services colleagues - alongside Council staff - for their efforts overnight and today in keeping Manchester residents safe."
'Do not travel'
TransPennine Express are urging customers in some areas not to travel today, because of the conditions.
The following routes are affected:
· Manchester Airport - Redcar Central
· Manchester Victoria - Scarborough
· Manchester Piccadilly - York calling all Stations
· Manchester Piccadilly - Edinburgh
· Manchester Piccadilly - GlasgowCentral.
· Liverpool - Sheffield
· Liverpool - Hull
· Liverpool - Newcastle
Meanwhile, the Bee Network's also heavily affected, with metrolink and bus services facing cancellations and delays.
If flooding has affected your area, you can contact Floodline by phone on 0345 988 1188 or by text on 0345 602 6340, or contact your local authority if you have questions.
You can sign up for flood warnings at gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings
Anyone with information around any developments or in need of assistance are asked to call GMP on 101 quoting log 3258 of 31/12/2024. In an emergency, always dial 999 in the first instance.
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