500 evacuated from hotel as emergency services respond to flooding
Greater Manchester Police says it's working with other agencies after severe rainfall
Last updated 1st Jan 2025
A hotel containing approximately 500 guests is being evacuated in Manchester, as emergency services respond to flooding caused by "severe" rainfall.
A major incident has been declared by Greater Manchester Police.
The force says water from the River Mersey in Didsbury, South Manchester, is subsiding, with around 400 private homes at low risk.
A number of buildings have been evacuated, including 500 people staying at a hotel and reports of care home residents also being rescued.
Buses have been transporting people who've been displaced to a nearby Mosque, which is being used as a refuge centre.
Donations are already pouring in to help support people who've had to evacuate. A pile of bags full of supplies is being sorted through at the Mosque.
READ MORE: Updates as a major incident is declared because of flooding in Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester Police statement in full:
As New Year’s Day has progressed, both our officers and specialised units deployed at key locations across Greater Manchester, alongside Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), mountain rescue and local councils have been dealing with the impact the severe rainfall and flooding has had on our communities.
The affected areas still under monitoring are as follows, which now includes Trafford due to a developing landscape:
Didsbury, South Manchester – the water from the River Mersey is subsiding and is now a lower risk affecting approximately 400 private homes with no widespread evacuation needed at present. Plans are in place to start evacuating approximately 500 people from a hotel.
Stockport – there is no immediate danger but approximately 400 occupants at a block of flats at Meadow Mill will be evacuated before sunset as a precaution. A council refuge centre is at Holdsworth Mill in Reddish.
Trafford – has been added due to intelligence suggesting the area of Bowden on the border of Cheshire will be affected due to an aqueduct bursting.
Wigan – localised flooding across the borough, and a council refuge centre at Robin Park.
With the current situation changing and weather easing in places, these below are no longer areas of serious concern for the current response after being resolved;
Bolton
Harpurhey, North Manchester
Stalybridge
In addition to working directly with the Environment Agency and Highways England, due to the declaring of a major incident, and reports being received around damage, risk to life and stranded vehicles. The response is still significant whilst we continue to determine who needs to be displaced from their homes as a last resort for purely safety reasons whilst we collectively monitor.
On the update, Chief Superintendent Colette Rose said: “We are continuing to monitor the whole of Greater Manchester as we look to co-ordinate the emergency response involving a variety of services.
“Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service have been key to this to ensure we can keep those people and communities safe after the severe weather we have had.
“Thankfully, due to the efforts of all involved so far no one has been seriously injured or come to harm and would like to thank members of the public for their continued co-operation especially around the road closures in place and looking out for each other.
“Anyone still affected should continue to 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 that may be needed.”
Flooding in your area
A number of businesses are being used to support people who've lost power or been otherwise affected by the flooding.
Electricity North West also say 'The Coffee Shop' on Garswood Street in Ashton in Makerfield is open until 10pm providing a warm space and facilities to charge phones.
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 101 quoting log 3258 of 31/12/2024. In an emergency, always dial 999 in the first instance.