Flood warnings in place across Greater Manchester overnight

23:16, 20 Sep 2025Updated 23:36, 20 Sep 2025

Torrential rain over the UK on Saturday evening

Torrential rain has caused havoc in Greater Manchester this evening.

Eight flood warnings were issued in Greater Manchester after hours of heavy rain which caused disruption to public transport, left streets submerged in water and multiple road closures.

As of 11.30pm flood warnings had been issued for:

River Mersey at West Didsbury, Northenden Golf Club and Palatine Road: Areas most at risk include Northenden Golf Club house and properties on Palatine Road and Mayfair ParkRiver Mersey at Fletcher Moss and Withington Golf Course: Low lying land and roads expected to be most affected, particularly around land adjacent to the River Mersey at West Didsbury and Withington golf course.River Mersey at Cheadle Wood and Ford lane: Low lying land and roads expected to be most affected, particularly around land and property close to the River Mersey at Didsbury Golf Course and Cheadle Wood.Bessy Brook at Lostock: Properties along Sudbury Drive and including parts of Rumworth Road and Regent Road.Worsley Brook at Alder Forest Bridge and the Cricket Grounds: Low lying land and roads expected to be most affected, particularly around Worsley Brook at Alder Forest Cricket Grounds and properties alongside the watercourse.River Irwell from Buckley Wells to Radcliffe: Low lying land and roads expected to be most affected, particularly around Pioneer Mills, Close Park and Parkside Close.River Bollin and Agden Brook at Little Bollington: Low lying land and roads expected to be most affected, particularly around properties at and around Bollington Mill and Bollington Hall Farm.Timperley Brook at Altrincham: Low lying land and roads expected to be most affected, particularly around Green Lane to Woodlands Rd and Canal Rd.

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.

The Environment Agency usually issues a flood warning 30 minutes to 2 hours before flooding. Flood warnings say you should move your loved ones, pets and valuables to a safe place, move to higher ground or the upper floor of a building, turn off the gas, electricity and water in your home if it’s safe, put flood protection equipment in place, do as the emergency services tell you, and help others if it’s safe to do so.

Rain has left a street underwater in Salford

The impact of Saturday’s was almost immediate lanes closed on the M62 due to flooding. Lanes also had to be shut on the M61 and M56 throughout the night.

Never miss a story with the MEN’s daily Catch Up newsletter – get it in your inbox by signing up here

Elsewhere, flooding on the train line between Bolton and Blackburn caused services to stop running. With cancellations, delays and changes lasting until 7:30pm.As the water levels began to rise, local councillors and MPs made sure to keep residents up to date as local rivers looked close to bursting their banks.

Flooding on Barton Road, Urmston, on Saturday night(Image: Robert Modrzejewski)

Environment Agency officers were called to Wigan following reports of flooding in the town. Labour MP for Makerfield, Josh Simmons advised constituents on what steps to take if they felt at risk of flooding.In Salford, the potential use of its flood basins was announced and soon after the announcement, Peel Green Road, Eccles, was submerged in water. One resident, who could do nothing but watch their car become enveloped from a doorbell camera told the M.E.N: “Someone rang the doorbell and I went to see who it was and I saw my car submerged underwater. I’ve had to phone my son to see if he could get someone to help him move my car.”He’s not got a licence, he’s only got a provisional, so he’s been trying to knock on the neighbour’s door. He’s had to practically swim to get home.”The lights have stopped flashing and the back windows have opened because it’s gone into flood prevention.”All parts of Greater Manchester are covered by a Met Office yellow warning of rain, which runs from 9am on Saturday until 6am on Sunday.The Met Office said in its warning there was ‘a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings’.