Manchester City Council has announced additional support for residents and businesses devastated by flooding on New Year’s Day.
The heavy rainfall on New Year’s Eve brought the River Mersey to a 66-year-high, forcing more than 1,000 people across Greater Manchester to evacuate.
The Manchester Evening News previously reported that refugees living in a hotel in Didsbury were rescued from their accommodation in dinghies, while some residents at a converted mill in Stockport have been unable to return to their homes more than a week on from the flooding.
Stockport Council has since written an open letter to the owner and management company of the building urging them to assist residents, some of whom have run out of money to pay for hotels and have been forced to return to flats without heat or light.
But Manchester City Council confirmed this week that council officers will be visiting affected residents, sharing advice and guidance on what to do after a flood, including how to contact their insurance company, the proper disposal of contaminated items, and where to find second-hand furniture.
Council staff are also paying visits to affected businesses to advise on how to properly clean their premises and safely restore electricity that was cut during flooding.
Flooded buildings along Palatine Road in Didsbury.
(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
Work has also been underway to clean up parks and highways, especially along Palatine Road where there was significant debris washed in from the river nearby.
In what appears to be a reference to the criticism levelled at the Environment Agency for their handling of the incident, the council also added that the agency was “working to implement repair plans and to assess damage to the riverbank” following a number of breaches to the flood basin defence wall.
“Whilst most of the issues experienced were due to the intensity of the rainfall, investigations will take place where appropriate to understand how plans can be made for future severe weather events.”
Damage to flood defences in Didsbury near to the Toc H Rugby Club
Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council said: “I would like to pass on my deep thanks to everyone who has helped in the response to the floods. We have seen incredible community spirit and a real coming together in flood affected areas.
“For those affected, this was not the start to 2025 they wanted, and I want to pay tribute to the resilience and bravery of the people who had to be evacuated. The stress and upset caused by such an event should never be underestimated, and we know it continues to be a distressing time for those affected.
“I want to reassure people that the Council is on hand to provide support and guidance to anyone who needs it.
“It is now our priority to get people back in their homes and business back on their feet as quickly as possible and we are working to make sure all affected residents can access the advice and support they need.
“The clean-up and recovery of our neighbourhoods is underway, and once that has been achieved, we will be convening the relevant agencies to see what more can be done in the future to try to prevent this scale of flooding and damage.”