Threat to life flood warnings issued in Didsbury as River Mersey levels continue to rise
Report by Granada Reports correspondent Tim Scott
Threat to life flood warnings have been issued in Manchester and residents are being urged to evacuate as "heavy and persistent rain" continues to fall.
The Environment Agency has issued two of its highest flood warnings for the River Mersey in East and West Didsbury in south Manchester.
Manchester City Council says around 427 properties are "at key risk", and it is centering evacuation efforts around those on Palatine Road, Mersey Road, Spath Road and Hollies Estate.
Although evacuations have not begun, Environment Agency workers are door knocking around the area to warn residents of the danger.
If residents are required to evacuate they will be contacted directly.
Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council said: "We are asking residents in effected areas to keep following the Environment Agency and City Council, there's live information there.
"There is a risk some residents may have to be evacuated, if this impacts you you will be contacted directly.
"There are teams on the ground, we already know who vulnerable members of our community are, and where residents who need a bit of extra help live.
"Please do wait, follow information as best as you are given it, if you are told to evacuate your home I know how difficult it is, but please do comply with the advice that you're given because we are only doing it to keep people safe."
A severe flood warning means there is danger to life, and the Environment Agency urges anyone to act immediately.
Residents have been told to call 999 if they are in immediate danger, to make sure they have an emergency kit and evacuate if told to do so.
Manchester City Council says it is working with its partners in Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue and the Environment Agency to support residents who need to evacuate homes in advance of flooding.
Reception stations are being set up at Didsbury Mosque and the Armitage Centre, on Moseley Road in Fallowfield, for anyone who has nowhere else to go.
Where are the severe warnings?
River Mersey at East Didsbury - from 12pm until Monday morning.
An increased risk of flooding to properties from the River Mersey, Sunday 20 February and overnight into Monday 21 February.
Evacuation plans are in place for any residents who may need to move to keep themselves safe.
Flood warning area: Properties at East Didsbury around Millgate Lane and Parrs Wood Road including Tuscan Road to Broad Oak Lane. Also at risk, properties around Kingsway including Wilmslow Road to Merston Drive, Millgate Farm and Old Bedians sports centre.
River Mersey at West Didsbury and Northenden - from 12pm until Monday morning.
An increased risk of flooding to properties from the River Mersey, Sunday 20 February and overnight into Monday 21 February.
Evacuation plans are in place for any residents who may need to move to keep themselves safe.
Flood warning area: Properties in West Didsbury and Barlow Moor around Princess Road, Riverside Avenue and Mersey Crescent. Also Stanton Avenue to Palatine Road. Also at risk properties in Northenden on and around Kenworthy Lane to Ford Lane.
The Environment Agency said it was ensuring it was doing everything it could to disperse the water onto floodplains and away from people's homes.
Andy Brown, a Flood Risk Manager for the Environment Agency, said: "We will be operating lots of flood defences, pumps, whole ranges of structures, clearing debris from rivers to try and help the movement of water through as safely and quickly as possible to reduce the risk of harm to people.
"We are all very aware of the misery that flooding brings and we want to continue to do all we can to minimise the chances of that happening to anybody."
What to do if you are under a severe flood warning
A severe flood warning means there is danger to life - you must act now.
call 999 if you’re in immediate danger
follow advice from the emergency services and evacuate if you’re told to do so make sure you have an emergency kit including a torch, spare batteries, mobile phone and charger, warm clothes, important numbers like your home insurance, water, food, first aid kit and any medicines and babycare items you may need
alert neighbours and offer help if it's safe to do so
avoid driving or walking through flood water: just 30cm (1 foot) of fast flowing water could move your car and even shallow moving water can knock you off your feet
keep your family and pets away from floodwater – it may contain heavy debris, sharp objects, open manhole covers, sewage and chemicals
wash your hands if you’ve been in contact with flood water which may contain toxic substances
What to do if you get a flood warning
A flood warning means you need to act as flooding is expected. You should:
move vehicles to higher ground if it is safe to do so
move family and pets to safety
move important items upstairs or to a safe place in your property, starting with cherished items and valuables, then furniture and furnishings
turn off gas, electricity and water supplies if it’s safe to do so; never touch an electrical switch if you’re standing in water
if you have property protection products such as flood barriers, or air brick covers, use them
The flood warnings join a yellow warning for rain issued by the Met Office for the North West, with 'heavy rain expected to lead to some disruption' until 6pm on Sunday, 20 February.
From midday on Sunday a yellow warning for wind also comes into force, with the Met Office forecasting, "further periods of strong winds" until Monday.
The Met Office has now named the new weather front Storm Franklin, with gusts of up to 70mph expected.
On Saturday, 19 February heavy snow blanketed Lancashire, parts of Greater Manchester and the Isle of Man as the region dealt with the aftermath of Storm Eunice.