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Thousands evacuated as Storm Christoph wreaks havoc with ‘danger to life’ floods

Storm Christoph and bad weather in the UK
Flooding, snow and evacuations have hit communities hard (Picture: Backgrid/Mercury Press/Getty)

Thousand of people were told to leave their homes last night as Storm Christoph continues to wreak havoc across the UK, with five ‘danger to life’ flood warnings now in place . 

Widespread flooding has devastated northern communities, while inundated areas were also hit by snow, which comes after an emergency Cobra meeting to discuss the crisis

Some 2,000 properties in the East Didsbury, West Didsbury and Northenden areas of Greater Manchester were due to be evacuated on Wednesday night because of rising water levels, the city council said, after police there had declared a major incident. People were also asked to leave their homes in parts of Ruthin and Bangor on Dee in North Wales, and Maghull in Merseyside.

The ‘severe’ flood warnings – meaning there is a danger to life – from the Environment Agency are in place for the River Mersey at East and West Didsbury and Northenden, and for the River Bollin at Heatley and Agden Brook at Little Bollington. A fifth was issued by Natural Resources Wales for Bangor on Dee.

In County Durham, rescue workers in a boat were seen helping a man stuck on the roof of a van as heavy flooding swept through.

It comes as heavy rain and snow continued to fall across England and Wales, with many rivers at ‘dangerously high levels’, the Environment Agency said. The Met Office also warned of strong winds. 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson earlier urged people to heed the flood warnings and evacuate their properties when told to do so – even with a national ‘stay at home’ coronavirus lockdown in place.

Lib Dem councillor Richard Kilpatrick said he was among those who had to evacuate overnight after police came knocking on doors in The Beeches in Didsbury, with the local mosque opening its doors.

He told Manchester Evening News: ‘The atmosphere has been a mixture of anxiety and disbelief I think. I helped door knocking to inform residents.

‘We are fine and spirits are high. We just don’t expect it to happen here, the defences have always been enough.’

DIDSBURY, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 20: People walk past snow covered flood warning signs on January 20, 2021 in Didsbury, Lancashire, United Kingdom. Danger to life flood warnings are given along the River Mersey in East Didsbury, West Didsbury and Northenden as Storm Christoph moves in on the UK. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
People walk past snow covered flood warning signs on Wednesday in Didsbury, Lancashire (Picture: Getty Images)

North Wales Police said its officers were helping the fire service to evacuate homes in Ruthin, Denbighshire, and urged people to avoid the area.

The force tweeted: ‘Officers have been called to assist @DenbighshireCC and @NWFRS in #Ruthin, where some homes are being evacuated.

‘Regrettably, people who do not live locally are driving to the area to “see the floods”. Please do not stretch our resources by adding to the problem.’

The force also urged residents of Bangor on Dee and head to Ysgol Sant Dunawd for shelter after the severe flood warning was issued.

Wrexham Council said it was ‘working with partners to address any need for temporary rest centres for residents likely to be affected’.

Meanwhile, residents in Maghull were advised to leave their properties as soon as possible after a severe flood warning was issued, Sefton Council said.

A council spokesman said heavy rain had led to raised water levels and flooding from the River Alt which was set to increase.

‘Water levels at Dover Brook, near the River Alt, reached 2.5m today, which is unprecedented for that area, modelling from the Environment Agency, including anticipated overnight rainfall, will take that level to 3.5m,’ the spokesman said.

Downing Street said Covid-secure facilities would be available for any people forced to evacuate as a result of the weather.

Mr Johnson said steps were being taken to ensure the transport and energy networks were prepared so that electricity outages would not be ‘severe’ and that there were sufficient supplies of sandbags.

He told reporters: ‘There are some times where I have been to scenes where, alas, people have decided not to obey the advice and not evacuated.

‘It is their right not to do so if they choose – it’s always people’s right to stay wherever they are.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Robert Melen/REX (11719466b) The river Towy in Carmarthen in south Wales which has burst it's banks ar high tide, after Storm Christoph brought heavy rain to the area. Storm Christoph floods The river Towy, Carmarthen, Wales, UK - 20 Jan 2021
The river Towy in Carmarthen, south Wales, burst it’s banks at high tide (Picture: REX)

‘But it really is advisable – follow the advice. If you are told to leave your home then you should do so.’

The Environment Agency has issued a further 191 flood warnings across England, with 228 less severe flood alerts, mainly across the Midlands and north of the country.

In Wales, 48 flood warnings and 57 flood alerts are in place, while six flood alerts are in force in Scotland.

Almost the whole of England, Wales and Northern Ireland are subject to yellow weather warnings for rain until Thursday morning, with a more serious amber warning stretching from the East Midlands to the Lake District.

The amber alert warns of the risk of flooding and deep floodwaters which could pose a risk to life, and there are further warnings for snow and ice in Scotland.

An amber warning for snow in parts of southern Scotland warned around 30cm could fall in areas above 400m, with up to 10cm likely to accumulate in lower regions until 8am on Thursday.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

MORE : Birmingham to dodge worst of Storm Christoph but flooding still likely



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