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Police declare major incident as homes flooded Hundreds forced to leave homes as floods batter region
(about 3 hours later)
Helen Scott said she had to wade through water to get to her flat and woke up to an even worse situationHelen Scott said she had to wade through water to get to her flat and woke up to an even worse situation
People were left trapped in a block of flats without running water as heavy rain and floods saw homes evacuated, cars left abandoned and trains cancelled across north-west England. Hundreds of people have been forced to leave their homes after heavy rain and floods battered large parts of north-west England, leaving cars abandoned and cancelling trains.
Greater Manchester Police said a major incident had been declared in response to torrential rain across Stockport, Bolton, Didsbury, Harpurhey, Stalybridge and Wigan - with large parts of Lancashire and Cheshire also hit. Greater Manchester Police declared a major incident after torrential downpours across Stockport, Bolton, Didsbury, Harpurhey, Stalybridge and Wigan - with large parts of Lancashire and Cheshire also hit on New Year's Day.
Some residents were advised to evacuate homes in parts of Manchester, the city's council said, while others remained stranded. Flats at Meadow Mill in Stockport were evacuated with about 400 residents being moved to a council refuge centre at Holdsworth Mill in nearby Reddish.
Residents have been urged to check for updates from their local councils and fire and rescue services. The Britannia Country House hotel in Didsbury, Manchester, understood to be housing asylum seekers, was also evacuated with 500 guests moved out, with the use of boats.
In Cheshire, an aqueduct at the the Bridgewater Canal collapsed with water pouring into surrounding fields at Little Bollington. In an early evening update, Ch Supt 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."
Ch Supt Rose added that with the weather and water levels easing, Bolton, Harpurhey and Stalybridge were no longer areas of concern.
Flooding on the River Mersey in Didsbury, Manchester
Earlier in Cheshire, an aqueduct at the the Bridgewater Canal collapsed with water pouring into surrounding fields at Little Bollington.
Cheshire Police said they were working to evacuate nearby properties, while the M56 westbound between junctions 6 and 7 were closed.Cheshire Police said they were working to evacuate nearby properties, while the M56 westbound between junctions 6 and 7 were closed.
In Lancashire, Ormskirk Civic Hall said it was opening for any residents affected.In Lancashire, Ormskirk Civic Hall said it was opening for any residents affected.
"The kettle is on and everyone is very welcome," a post on Facebook said."The kettle is on and everyone is very welcome," a post on Facebook said.
By 14:30 GMT water levels were seen to be falling but amber and yellow weather warnings remained in place across the region.By 14:30 GMT water levels were seen to be falling but amber and yellow weather warnings remained in place across the region.
Flooding on the River Mersey in Didsbury, Manchester
Helen Beau, who lives in a flat inside a converted mill in Stockport, said her car had been written off and she was trapped inside with no running water or electricity.
Meadow Mill on Water Street began to flood in the early hours of the morning, with almost all vehicles in the car park outside almost totally submerged.
Ms Beau said firefighters had brought fresh water for her and her boyfriend, but there was no prospect of rescue for the time being.
"Last we've heard was stay put and in the firefighter's words they said put your cosies on and play card games, that's pretty much all we can do," she said.
"There are no windows, the corridors are pitch black so it's really not safe to walk anywhere so we're just bound to our apartment."
Helen Beau speaks to the BBC from inside her flat in Meadow Mill, StockportHelen Beau speaks to the BBC from inside her flat in Meadow Mill, Stockport
She said when they were allowed to leave it was likely to be a matter of days before they could return. Helen Beau, was among the residents at Meadow Mill in Stockport, who were earlier left stranded inside with no running water or electricity.
The flats began to flood in the early hours, with almost all vehicles in the car park outside almost totally submerged.
Ms Beau said firefighters brought fresh water for her and her boyfriend before being told to wait to be evacuated.
Boats were used as a hotel was evacuated in Didsbury, Manchester
Ms Beau said she was trying to stay positive but did feel "distressed".Ms Beau said she was trying to stay positive but did feel "distressed".
"Everyone is healthy, no-one is in any immediate danger so we have to try and look at the positives here," she said."Everyone is healthy, no-one is in any immediate danger so we have to try and look at the positives here," she said.
"But it is really unfortunate and not how I wanted to start the new year.""But it is really unfortunate and not how I wanted to start the new year."
Mountain Rescue teams joined the fire-service on site and were in the process of attempting to evacuate some residents.
The view from the top of Meadow Mill in Stockport where floodwater surged into the car park and ground floorThe view from the top of Meadow Mill in Stockport where floodwater surged into the car park and ground floor
In Lymm, Cheshire, resident Gabrielle Dainty said the local flood defences "haven't worked" after her cottage filled with water for the second time in four years.In Lymm, Cheshire, resident Gabrielle Dainty said the local flood defences "haven't worked" after her cottage filled with water for the second time in four years.
"There's nothing you can do, there's just nothing you can do," she said."There's nothing you can do, there's just nothing you can do," she said.
Gabrielle Dainty said her cottage in Lymm had been flooded for the second time in four years.Gabrielle Dainty said her cottage in Lymm had been flooded for the second time in four years.
In Ribchester near Blackburn, Lancashire, landlord Sam Hubbard managed to save the Ribchester Arms pub from flooding - but her own home was hit.In Ribchester near Blackburn, Lancashire, landlord Sam Hubbard managed to save the Ribchester Arms pub from flooding - but her own home was hit.
Ms Hubbard said a brook at the rear of her home burst its banks and flood water damaged flooring and carpet.Ms Hubbard said a brook at the rear of her home burst its banks and flood water damaged flooring and carpet.
She said the community were pulling together to get people out of their homes and try and put flood defences in place.She said the community were pulling together to get people out of their homes and try and put flood defences in place.
"You've just got to do the community thing and make sure you stop it where you can really," she said."You've just got to do the community thing and make sure you stop it where you can really," she said.
The Bridgewater Canal breached amid flooding in Little Bollington, CheshireThe Bridgewater Canal breached amid flooding in Little Bollington, Cheshire
The Met Office had issued an amber warning for rain across swathes of Lancashire and Greater Manchester, while a yellow warning covered parts of Merseyside and Cheshire.The Met Office had issued an amber warning for rain across swathes of Lancashire and Greater Manchester, while a yellow warning covered parts of Merseyside and Cheshire.
Dozens of flood alerts are also in place, with the River Mersey reaching its highest recorded levels, external at a measuring station in Northenden, Greater Manchester, at 3.71m (12ft).Dozens of flood alerts are also in place, with the River Mersey reaching its highest recorded levels, external at a measuring station in Northenden, Greater Manchester, at 3.71m (12ft).
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In Ormskirk, West Lancashire, homes were reportedly flooded around Halsall Lane and surrounding streets.In Ormskirk, West Lancashire, homes were reportedly flooded around Halsall Lane and surrounding streets.
Some residents posted pictures on social media showing flood water in their kitchens and gardens.Some residents posted pictures on social media showing flood water in their kitchens and gardens.
Floodwater is reported to have entered homes around Halsall Lane, OrmskirkFloodwater is reported to have entered homes around Halsall Lane, Ormskirk
In Warrington, three people were rescued from a car by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service on Cliff Lane, and in Booth Lane, Lymm, another three people were rescued in the early hours.In Warrington, three people were rescued from a car by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service on Cliff Lane, and in Booth Lane, Lymm, another three people were rescued in the early hours.
The service used a rescue raft to get to the vehicles in both cases.The service used a rescue raft to get to the vehicles in both cases.
The River Mersey at Palatine Road in Northenden, ManchesterThe River Mersey at Palatine Road in Northenden, Manchester
Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig said the authority was working with the police, fire service and Environment Agency to monitor water levels and provide support to residents.Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig said the authority was working with the police, fire service and Environment Agency to monitor water levels and provide support to residents.
She said: "Some residents have been asked to evacuate where the Environment Agency has issued flood warnings, and these residents have been contacted directly and supported.She said: "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."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.""However, water levels will continue to be monitored over the coming hours."
A car was stuck in flood water in Gressingham, LancashireA car was stuck in flood water in Gressingham, Lancashire
Flooding on the line between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport train stations has also led to major disruption and cancellations.Flooding on the line between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport train stations has also led to major disruption and cancellations.
Trains were not operating between Manchester Airport and the city's stations, or on routes between Manchester and Liverpool Lime Street, or from both Liverpool and Manchester to Huddersfield, Leeds and York.Trains were not operating between Manchester Airport and the city's stations, or on routes between Manchester and Liverpool Lime Street, or from both Liverpool and Manchester to Huddersfield, Leeds and York.
TransPennine Express urged customers on its services not to travel before at least 12:00, saying flooding was causing "significant issues" in Greater Manchester and Cheshire.TransPennine Express urged customers on its services not to travel before at least 12:00, saying flooding was causing "significant issues" in Greater Manchester and Cheshire.
Flooding also caused severe disruption across the road network, with the M57 closed in both directions between junction 6 at Kirkby and junction 7 at Aintree, according to National Highways.Flooding also caused severe disruption across the road network, with the M57 closed in both directions between junction 6 at Kirkby and junction 7 at Aintree, according to National Highways.
It said the westbound M56 between junction 6 for Manchester Airport and junction 7 for Bowdon was also expected to be closed "for some time" due to flooding across all three lanes.It said the westbound M56 between junction 6 for Manchester Airport and junction 7 for Bowdon was also expected to be closed "for some time" due to flooding across all three lanes.
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