Misery in the wake of Manchester's 'monster' storm
Manchester is mopping up after the storm
Dozens of people have been mopping up and trying to salvage what they can from the downpours that swept into their homes and businesses following Manchester's monster storm
At the height of the torrential rain Greater Manchester Fire Service received around fifty 999 calls and had to urge people to only contact them in a genuine emergency.
There were motorists stranded on roads across the region and motorway police reported there had been several accidents.
The Manchester Metrolink was severely hit with all services suspended for most of the evening and its communication system was knocked-out. Manchester Airport had to turn flight arrivals away because the runway was too treacherous.
The Met Office said a perfect combination of elements, including warm humid air, caused the heavy rain and thunderstorms. Meteorologist Mark Wilson said "there has been a lot of rain in a very short space of time'' in the North West - along with a lot' of thunder and lightning.
"Prestbury has had 32.4mm of rain in an hour - which is pretty exceptional,'' he added. "The warning we put out does talk about the risk of up to 30mm in an hour."
"There are some torrential downpours passing through parts of the country at the moment but they will ease probably in the next two hours.''
Thousands of football fans were told with minutes to go that the Manchester City game in the Champions League with Borussia Monchengladbach had been postponed.
The club statement said: "Torrential rainfall across Manchester throughout the evening led to flooding in the areas around the ground, which forced the decision on safety and security grounds.The game will now be rescheduled and the club will announce a new date in due course.''
Those supporters who'd come from Germany for the game had the longest journey home.