Flood alerts in place across Manchester as Storms Elin and Fergus hit
The Environment Agency had placed four warnings in place in the region
Last updated 10th Dec 2023
Flood warnings have been put in place across Greater Manchester as Storms Elin and Fergus continue to hit the UK.
The storms, named Elin and Fergus by Ireland's weather service Met Éireann, are in quick succession as several regions of the country are set to be hit with potentially damaging weather conditions.
Residents across the region have been told to prepare for the potential for flooding as strong winds and heavy rain are in store as a result of the weather fronts.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for much of the country which is set to last from 5pm on Sunday (December 10) to 3am on Monday morning (December 11th).
As well as causing disruption to traffic and transport services including the Metrolink, a number of properties across the region have been left without power, particularly affecting Oldam, Bury and Bolton boroughs.
The Environmental Agency had placed Bolton under a red flood warning during Saturday's heavy rain, which ended at 10am this morning. Now, three areas in the south of the region have been given amber flood alerts.
Initially, four flood warnings had been in place for the county, but as the weather systems passed through the Environment Agency scaled their warnings down for the area.
Those living in the Middle Mersey catchment area, the Uplands of the Mersey and Upper River Douglas region are being urged to prepare for potential flooding as water levels continue to rise.
The towns currently under threat of flooding are:
- Cheadle Hulme, Cheadle, Stockport, Bramhall, Sale, Altrincham, Gatley, Urmston and Stretford as part of the Middle Mersey catchment area
- Hyde, Ashton-under-Lyne, Denton, New Mills, Mossley, Hazel Grove, Stalybridge, Saddleworth, Marple, Romiley and Glossop as part of the River Mersey Uplands region
- Blackrod, Wigan, Adlington, Horwich, Standish, Gathurst and Appley Bridge as part of the Upper River Douglas area
The effect of the rain and winds continue to be felt across transport links, as trains continue to face disruption - with delays and cancellations expected until at least 6pm tonight.
Train lines are also blocked in the region due to fallen trees and other debris. Rail replacement buses are currently being used to take passengers to their destinations.