Members of the public have been advised to avoid swollen rivers and not to drive through flood water
18:04, 20 Sep 2025Updated 23:07, 20 Sep 2025
A number of flood warnings and alerts have been issued in Greater Manchester following a deluge of torrential rain this weekend. The government warnings have been issued as local rivers look close to bursting their banks due to the heavy rainfall.
As of 11pm flood warnings had bene issued for:
River Mersey at West Didsbury, Northenden Golf Club and Palatine Road.River Mersey at Fletcher Moss and Withington Golf Course.River Mersey at Cheadle Wood and Ford lane.Bessy Brook at LostockWorsley Brook at Alder Forest Bridge and the Cricket GroundsRiver Irwell from Buckley Wells to Radcliffe
Flood alerts had been issued for:
The River Irwell around Oldham, Bolton, Rochdale and RamsbottomThe River Irwell across much of the city centre, Salford and TraffordThe River Mersey around Bramhall, Stockport, Sale, Altrincham and UrmstonThe River Bolin around Bollington and parts of Altrincham, Macclesfield, Knutsford and WilmslowThe River Mersey around Hyde, Ashton, Denton, Stalybridge and Glossop.Upper River Douglas from Horwich Star Vale to Appley Bridge
A flood alert means that flooding is possible so you should prepare now, while a more severe flood warning means flooding is expected so you should act now.You can view them here.
According to the Environment Agency, teams will be out and about to support local authorities and reduce the impact of flooding in the affected areas.
Heavy rain showers have hit the region (Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)
Stefan Laeger, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, said: “Widespread rainfall with isolated heavy bursts could lead to some significant river flooding across parts of the Northwest and some significant surface water flooding and minor river flooding across parts of the North of England and the Midlands from Saturday into Sunday morning.
“Environment Agency teams will be out on the ground, taking action to reduce the impact of flooding and supporting local authorities in responding to surface water flooding.
“We advise people to stay away from swollen rivers and not to drive through flood water as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car.
“People should search ‘check my flood risk’ online, sign up for free flood warnings, and keep up to date with the latest situation with @EnvAgency on X.”
On X, formerly known as Twitter, the Met Office said: “Flooding may affect parts of Wales and northern England this evening, especially northwest England, with heavy and persistent rain in places
“Some briefly very strong winds may also occur across Wales, the Midlands and northern England with gales a possibility in places