A family has told how they were woken early in the morning after New Year’s Day flooding wrecked their home – and ferried to McDonald’s in a boat by firefighters. Michael Abram said he was roused from his sleep at 6.30am to be told his car, which was parked outside the family home, had fallen victim to the floodwater.
The 46-year-old – who lives with wife Stacy, 38, and kids Bethany, 12, Jake, 10 and Jack, two – said: “We were being told that our car was underwater. The fire service were brilliant. They put us in a boat and we were taken to McDonald’s. But all the Christmas presents along with everything on the ground floor of our terraced house are gone.
“The water has ruined everything. I can’t thank the firefighters enough for saving the urns containing the ashes of my parents Michael and Janet – who both died in 2024 – before the water rose too high. They did a fantastic job.” Residents and businesses are now counting the cost after flood water destroyed an area of Wigan on New Year’s Day.
Household appliances dumped outside homes.
Manchester Evening News reports water more than four feet deep swamped homes in Templeton Road in Platt Bridge before firefighters arrived by boat to ferry the stricken families to the safety of a nearby McDonald’s restaurant. The water also wrecked thousands of pounds worth of stock at the Iceland and Home Bargains stores on Warrington Road.
The Abrams were among the families who were initially taken to the nearby St Nathaniel’s Church where volunteers opened the doors to welcome in the families. Volunteers Lisa Aldred and Becca Bamber hailed the generosity of the local community in donating clothing and food for the evacuated families.
Lisa said: “Even people who themselves had suffered damaged roofs in the storm were donating. Although 20 families were evacuated, other homes around Templeton Road have no power. It’s an absolute mess.” Becca added: “It’s times like this that you see how a community comes together. We’re proud to be living here with these people.”
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Minister Rev Dot Gosling agreed to open the church as soon as it became clear on New Year’s Eve the flooding would be serious. The Abrams were given emergency accommodation at the Greyhound Hotel in Leigh and were later rehoused in Ince. One of the other residents, who did not wish to be named, said: “The rain came down at about 7pm and by 9pm we were flooded.
“Everything on the ground floor of our houses has been wrecked. It’s carnage in there.” Damaged household appliances can now be seen in the front gardens of the houses on Templeton Road. He said it was the first time the street had been flooded. He added: “But pumping station at the bottom of the street we normally rely on just couldn’t cope with the volume of wate.
“It’s the worst storm in my living memory. I’ve never experienced rain like that in my life.” Residents were put into emergency accommodation in local hotels and B&Bs by council bosses. The manager of the Iceland store, Gareth Lee, was supervising the mopping up operation yesterday, saying stock worth many thousands of pounds had been lost in the flood.
Lisa Aldred, left, and Becca Bamber.
He said: “The water was more than two feet deep throughout the store. The (last) time there was any kind of flood here was nine years ago, but this is the worst it has ever been.” He said that 35 of his staff were ‘pulling together’ to try to get the store reopened for the weekend, adding: “It’s a very challenging time, but we’re doing our best.”
Meanwhile, Wigan council leader Coun David Molyneux praised the teams which swung into action in the early hours of New Year’s Day to help. “They worked tirelessly to respond to flooding incidents across the borough. We’ve been working closely with the police, fire and health services and utility providers to ensure residents are safe.
“This includes setting up a rest centre for those who have had to leave their homes. I know some areas, particularly Platt Bridge, are still affected and I would like to reassure residents that our teams are doing everything they can to keep everyone safe and well.” Makerfield MP Josh Simons has started a crowdfund page following flooding which affected several areas in the Wigan borough.
He said: “It’s been a long few days for everyone and not the start to the year that we’d hoped for. On New Year’s Day, I was in Platt Bridge supporting the major incident team. I visited a few other towns affected, including several streets in Ashton, Orrell and Hindley.
“We’ve all seen the strength of our community, and I want to thank the emergency services, council, and local residents, who’ve been fantastic. The water is receding but sadly many are now dealing with damage to their homes. My office is open to help and I’ve started a crowdfunding page to help support those impacted by the floods.”
The Labour Party representative, who was elected last year, added: “My focus now is on ensuring my constituents get the support from insurance companies and the government needed to rebuild and that we develop a credible, long-term plan for flood defences across the towns I represent.”
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