South Manchester severe flood warning prompts home evacuations

Hundreds of homes in south Manchester face being evacuated after two severe flood warnings were issued for the area.

Environment Agency officials issued the alerts - indicating a possible danger to life - for properties near the River Mersey in Didsbury and Northenden.

Manchester City Council said about 430 properties were "at key risk of flooding".

River levels remain high and heavy rain is expected to continue into Monday.

Bill Darbyshire, flood duty manager, said evacuating residents would "reduce the potential impacts of flooding".

Gates to control water flow could be opened to minimise flooding of nearby properties.

Councillor John Leech, who represents Didsbury West, said there was "a serious possibility the river may overflow around 7pm" and emergency services had been mobilised.

Didsbury Mosque, which provided temporary shelter for residents during a similar evacuation last year, will be the main base for those who need accommodation.

The Armitage Centre in Fallowfield will also "be used if necessary", a Manchester City Council spokesman said.

The council advised residents who need to evacuate to turn off utilities - electric, gas and water - and take essential medicines.

A spokesman said evacuated residents should:

Councillor Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, said: "If asked to leave your home, we would strongly advise you do so.

"Flooding can be extremely dangerous which is why we are working diligently to get residents to safety."

The Environment Agency said heavy rain was expected to "fall on areas where rivers are high and rising and the ground is already saturated, causing further flooding of local communities".

They advised people across northern England to "prepare for flooding and be cautious if travelling", warning motorists to "never risk driving through flood water as just 30cm (12in) can float your car".

Tram journeys to Manchester Airport have been partly suspended after a fallen tree blocked the track, with services running to Roundthorn.

Bus operators said services in the area could also be disrupted at short notice and asked commuters to allow extra time for journeys.

Last January, more than 2,000 properties in Didsbury and Northenden were evacuated after a storm, though homes escaped serious flooding when river levels came "within centimetres" of breaching defences.

Following last year's storm, volunteers at Fletcher Moss Park - which is near flood basins for south Manchester - called for better environmental management after parts of the area flooded and benches were knocked over by rushing water.

The Environment Agency said it was "seeking to learn any lessons" after the park called on them to "open flood gates more slowly so the water doesn't come as a huge wave".

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