Heavy rain brought travel chaos to the UK today as more than 1,000 people were evacuated from their homes because of flooding, as dozens of warnings remain in place.
The first day of 2025 caused nightmares for many people in Greater Manchester as severe floods hit, as a major incident was declared. Heavy rain fell for several hours, causing many rivers to reach new records in some areas of Greater Manchester as the region was submerged in water.
Several roads were closed, with the M56 westbound closed between junctions six and seven. People were told not to travel on New Year’s Day after the deluge of rain caused major flooding.
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Weather warnings in the UK
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Image:
Met Office)
Across the UK there are currently 40 flood warnings in place – meaning it is expected. There are also 83 flood alerts (flooding is possible). More than 1,300 people had to spend the first day of the year away from their homes, as well as hotel guests in south Manchester.
Chief Superintendent Colette Rose earlier 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 details 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.”
On Thursday, dozens of warnings for ice, and snow and ice, cover huge swathes of the country. Scotland, Northern Ireland, northern England and the Midlands are affected.
Dan Holley, deputy chief forecaster for the Met Office said: “An Atlantic frontal system is likely to move across parts of central and southern UK through the weekend. With milder, moisture-laden air engaging with the cold conditions already in place this may bring a spell of snow in some areas, before possibly turning back to rain in the south.
“At this stage there is a fair amount of uncertainty over exactly which areas will see disruptive snow, with parts of Wales, northern England and the Midlands most likely to see some impacts. Here we could see 5cm or more in quite a few areas, and perhaps as much as 20-30cm over high ground, including Wales and the Pennines.
“Coupled with strengthening winds this could lead to drifting, making travelling conditions difficult over higher-level routes in particular. We’ve currently issued a Yellow warning for snow covering a large part of England, Wales and southern Scotland to cater for possible disruption over the weekend, but it’s quite likely this will be refined over the coming days as confidence in the forecast increases.
“So it’s worth keeping up to date with the latest warnings.”
Flood alerts in place, as of 10pm Wednesday
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Areas closest to Sankey Brook at Dallam
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Cononley Beck at Cononley
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Fouracres and The Crescent at Maghull
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Gatley Brook at Sharston Industrial Estate
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Keswick Campsite
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Lilford Park Brook at Lilford
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Old Eea Brook at Urmston
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Rainford Brook at Rainford North
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River Aire at Allerton Ings, Barnsdale Road and Properties
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River Aire at Cottingley
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River Aire at Cross Hills including the Airedale Trading Park
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River Aire at Skipton Road, Kildwick
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River Aire at Snaygill Industrial Estate and Cononley Business Park
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River Bollin and Agden Brook at Little Bollington
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River Bollin at Heatley
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River Calder at Horbury – The Strands
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River Douglas at Parbold, along the right bank of the river downstream of the Canal Bridge
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River Douglas at Wigan, adjacent to River Douglas from Robin Park to Baker St. Poolstock
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River Eden at Carlisle, Rickerby Park, Swifts and Stoneyholme Golf Courses
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River Eden at Low Crosby, Warwick Holmes
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River Mersey at Cheadle Wood and Ford lane
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River Mersey at Chorlton & Sale Golf Clubs, Chorlton Water Parks and Stretford
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River Mersey at East Didsbury, Millgate Lane and Stenner Lane areas
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River Mersey at Fletcher Moss and Withington Golf Course
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River Mersey at Sale Water Park
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River Mersey at West Didsbury, Mersey Bank Playing Fields and surrounding areas
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River Mersey at West Didsbury, Northenden Golf Club and Palatine Road
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River Nidd at Hunsingore
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River Ouse at Naburn Lock
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River Ouse at York – riverside properties
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River Ouse at York – St George’s Field and Queen’s Staith
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River Ure at Boroughbridge Camping and Caravanning Site
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River Vyrnwy at Maesbrook
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River Vyrnwy at Melverley
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River Weaver at Acton Bridge and Weaverham
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River Wiske at Kirby Wiske
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Sankey Brook at Gemini
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Whinney Brook and Dovers Brook at Maghull, around Sefton Lane and the Waste Transfer Station
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Whinney Brook and Dovers Brook at Maghull, beside Hall Lane, Fouracres and Sefton Lane
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Wider area at risk from Sankey Brook at Dallam