The embankment beside the River Mersey was swept away before heavy rainfall caused severe flooding in Didsbury on New Year’s Day.
Over 400 people had to be evacuated and transported to safety on boats after Palatine Road became completely submerged, causing power cuts, with water climbing up from the ground floor of nearby flats and a hotel.
Videos and pictures taken from the south Manchester suburb on Wednesday night showed a huge emergency response, including fire crews, water rescue units, incident response teams, police and paramedics and mountain rescue teams all in attendance amid the major rescue mission.
Rescue teams used boats to evacuate people in Didsbury
(Image: JMG Press)
The River Mersey, reaching its highest levels in 66 years, burst its banks, with 400 private homes were evacuated, with around 500 rescued from the Britannia Country Park Hotel, which houses asylum seekers.
In total, 469 people from Didsbury and also Stockport, were rescued from flooded properties and offered alternative accommodation.
Read More
Related Articles
Read More
Related Articles
New pictures taken on Thursday (January 2) showed how part of the raised embankment beside the River Mersey had been completely swept away as the region faced hours of rainfall on New Year’s Eve.
And nearby, Fletcher Moss Park was left ‘almost entirely underwater’ with cars seen floating in the street. The far end of Stenner Lane became completely submerged, with flood water reading the grounds of St James’ Church.
Fletcher Moss Park became completely submerged
(Image: MEN Staff)
The Environment Agency estimates that more than 21,000 properties had been protected in the north west. A major incident was declared in Greater Manchester when horrendous flooding hit parts of the region, prompting emergency responses in the worst-hit areas of Didsbury, Trafford, Stockport and Wigan.
The Environment Agency has said that part of the River Mersey’s embankment, which forms as part of the area’s flood defence, had collapsed. Officers remained at the site on Thursday (January 2) for emergency repairs to take place.
Read More
Related Articles
Read More
Related Articles
A spokesperson said: “We are aware of the collapse of an embankment at Didsbury. Our officers have been on site today and are making plans for emergency repairs, working with our partners. We are assessing the increase to potential flood risk and will act quickly to reduce the risk to the local community.”
Palatine Road was one of the worst hit
(Image: JMG Press)
And in Didsbury, Palatine Road became completely flooded. Boats were dispatched to rescue hundreds from the Britannia Country Park Hotel and nearby flats. Residents told the M.E.N how people became ‘trapped’ in their homes with young children as homes and the hotel experienced power cuts.