Greater Manchester recovering from the chaos of Storm Clodagh

Published 30th Nov 2015

Greater Manchester is cleaning up after Storm Clodagh battered the region.

The latest named storm ripped off roofs from a row of shops on Moorfield Avenue, Denton and tore up trees in Irlam, Oldham and Cheetham Hill.

Residents described their lucky escape as the gales blew the roof off the parade of shops.

Greater Manchester Fire Service received 126 calls as winds of up to 80mph struck.

David Action, chairman of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority, said: “The stormy weather has stretched the fire service to the limit.

“We have been dealing with the various incidents as quickly as we can. Our firefighters and support staff have done an excellent job in extremely difficult conditions.”

The fire crew treated one woman for shock after a 50ft tree tumbled onto a block of flats at Irlam Square in Salford.

Cars were hit by debris as a metal grill from the roof of the Asda car park in Denton was blown off.

The storm caused chaos for the Christmas Markets, with 16 stalls in Exchange Square and Cathedral Gardens being closed.

Gusts of 50mph were recorded at Manchester Airport forcing flights to be diverted and delays on the railways.

There were no reports of serious injuries.

By Carlie Foster