Heavy rainfall caused widespread flooding in Greater Manchester on New Year's Day, leading to a major incident declaration by police. Mayor Andy Burnham has called for accountability, admitting authorities were caught off guard by the severity of the flooding.
Torrential rainfall battered Greater Manchester from New Year’s Eve well into January 1, leading to police declaring a ‘major incident’. Officers attended floods in Bolton, Bowdon, Didsbury, Harpurhey, Stalybridge, Stockport and Wigan over the course of New Year's Day. Andy Burnham believes 1,000 people have been evacuated from their homes, and several major roads — including the A555 Airport Relief Road and A56 Lymm Road in Little Bollington — remained closed this morning.
No injuries have been recorded as of Thursday (January 2) morning. Now, the mayor has called for ‘accountability’ after admitting ‘we were all taken by surprise by some degree’. Speaking on BBC Radio Manchester on Thursday, he said: “I think we do have to have a look back at the warnings. We were all taken by surprise by some degree. There was no named storm. There was not a particular warning the authorities gave. “I am not saying that to point the finger… but it does seem we get hit by very local torrential rain at potential locations. That might have made it a unique event.” Mr Burnham added he believes budgets for clearing drains also needed to be looked at, as well as the resilience of existing flood defences. The Environment Agency did issue six flood warnings on New Year’s Eve for Greater Manchester, but these did not cover some areas which are now underwater. Four flood alerts were issued at the same time, which do not carry the ‘act now’ message of a warning. They followed the Met Office delivering a yellow weather warning for rain on the afternoon of December 31. Only one flood warning remains in place currently, in Wiga
Flooding Greater Manchester Andy Burnham Weather Accountability
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Storm Darragh floods Greater Manchester supermarket car parkThe affects of Storm Darragh are being felt up and down the region
Read more »
Greater Manchester Mayor Gets Green Light for Vocational BaccalaureateAndy Burnham has received approval for his plan to create the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc), a program providing alternatives to university for teenagers interested in vocational fields like construction and the creative industry. The program aims to offer clear pathways and choices for 14-year-olds choosing GCSEs. While the Department of Education initially expressed concerns about narrowing opportunities, the new Labour government, under Angela Rayner, has pledged to strengthen the mayor's role in technical education and skills development.
Read more »
Six 'act now' flood warnings in place across Greater Manchester and LancashireThere are six flood warnings and a further flood alert in place following a day of heavy rain
Read more »
Six urgent 'act now' flood warnings in place across Greater Manchester and LancashireThere are six flood warnings and a further flood alert in place following a day of heavy rain
Read more »
Flood Alerts Issued for Greater Manchester as Heavy Rain Hits RegionThe Environment Agency has issued flood alerts for parts of Greater Manchester due to heavy rainfall. Low-lying areas and roads near the River Mersey are particularly at risk.
Read more »
Flood Alerts Issued Across Greater Manchester as Heavy Rain Batters RegionThe Environment Agency has issued multiple flood alerts for Greater Manchester due to heavy rainfall expected on New Year's Eve.
Read more »