Flooding updates as ‘danger to life’ warnings remain in place amid Storm Franklin chaos

Severe flood warnings remain in place across Greater Manchester as the region continues to be battered by Storm Franklin.

Two red ‘danger to life’ weather warnings are in place for the River Mersey at East Didsbury and the River Mersey at West Didsbury and Northenden, with residents being told to ‘act now’ and evacuate if told to do so.

Councillors have confirmed that as many as 430 homes were at risk of flooding due to ‘heavy and persistent rainfall resulting in rising river levels on the River Mersey’.

The Environment Agency has also issued several other flood alerts and warnings across Greater Manchester, including at the River Roch, Upper River Irwell, River Glaze and River Bollin.

According to the Met Office, more heavy rain was forecast to fall until around 9am before turning into light showers.

From around 12pm, the rain is predicted to stop, while a yellow weather warning for wind remains in place until 1pm.

The M60 closed in both directions this morning after a lorry was overturned by the strong winds. 

Currently, the motorway is closed on Barton Bridge between junction 10 for the Trafford Centre and junction 11 for Liverpool Road.

North West Motorway Police tweeted: “Due to an overturned LGV we have a full closure on the M60 Barton Bridge J10 to J11 – Thankfully – no injuries reported – all traffic being taken off at J11 and J10 #TakeCare.”

Emergency services are urging everyone to avoid the area, with traffic being diverted from the scene.

This comes after three people died and 1.3 million properties were left without power as Storm Eunice wreaked havoc across the country on Friday.