Storm Christoph's trail of destruction: Homes COLLAPSE after rain tears sinkhole in road as man drowns in swollen river and thousands of properties are ruined - while Boris visits water-ravaged towns a year after being blasted for snubbing flood victims

Storm Christoph caused chaos in Britain today as a man drowned in a swollen river, homes teetered on a cliff edge following a landslide, care home residents were rescued and properties collapsed towards a sinkhole in a road.

Boris Johnson flew into a flood-hit area of Greater Manchester in an RAF helicopter after emergency services worked through the night elsewhere to protect a factory and warehouse involved in making a Covid-19 vaccine.

The Prime Minister spoke to some of the thousands of residents forced out of their homes in Didsbury after Storm Christoph swept across the country leaving thousands of people having to be evacuated amid major flooding.

Mr Johnson, who warned today that 'there will be more to come', made a quick dash to Didsbury just hours after the worst of the storm hit. It comes after he was criticised in March 2020 for taking three weeks to visit flood-hit towns in the Midlands, months after being heckled in November 2019 when visiting deluged areas of the North.

Four houses fell into the street in nearby Abbey Hey next to a sink hole caused by a collapsed sewer, one day after a car fell into it. United Utilities said there had been 'significant damage' to properties but no one was injured.

In North Wales, gullies were built to protect the vaccine site at Wrexham Industrial Estate, which employs 400 people who are involved in making the Oxford University-AstraZeneca jab that is also stored on the same estate.

This afternoon, water was still being pumped away from outside the warehouse, which remained surrounded by flooding. One worker swept rubbish away before driving a mini-digger and dumping plasterboard into a skip.

After two months' worth of rain fell over parts of the UK, the River Mersey threatened to burst its banks in Didsbury overnight as water levels rose to a record high - prompting a mass evacuation in the area of Greater Manchester.

Families woke up in emergency accommodation today after 2,000 homes were evacuated in East and West Didsbury and Northenden, as water levels rose to 3.27m (10.7ft) - beating the previous high of 3m (9.8ft) in 2016.

More than 170 flood warnings remained in place across England at 8pm on Thursday, with one 'severe' warning - meaning danger to life - issued for the River Dee at Farndon.

Northwich in Cheshire was also badly hit by flooding, with nearly 50 vulnerable elderly residents of a care home having to be evacuated after it was submerged in more than 5ft (1.5m) of water and left without any electricity.

The River Dee in Wales reached 16.4m (53.8ft) - higher than the previous record of 16.35m (53.6ft) in 2011, sparking an evacuation of the village of Bangor-on-Dee, where residents were told to wait for specialist 4x4s to pick them up.

And the body of a man was found in the flooded River Taff in Cardiff today, after more than six emergency vehicles went to the river bank in the grounds of Cardiff Castle following the sighting by a passing walker at 9am. South Wales Police said an identification process would take place and the death was being treated as unexplained.

Rescue teams scoured the area but the flooded river had initially hampered the search. Witness Karen Woods, 60, said: 'I've never seen the river so full - it was raging. I can't see how anyone would stand a chance in those waters.

Mr Johnson's warning that there may be more of the same to come was shared by Environment Secretary George Eustice, who chaired a Cobra meeting on Thursday in response to the chaos.

He said: 'I want to echo the Prime Minister's thanks to the Environment Agency and emergency services for the huge amount of work they've done to protect over 26,000 homes and properties from flooding, keeping families and communities safe.

'However, the danger has not passed. The water levels remain high and there is the risk of possible further flooding next week so everyone needs to remain vigilant, follow the advice and sign up for flood alerts.

'This Government is committed to tackling the risk of flooding and we will continue to push on with our £5.2 billion programme of investment in flood and coastal defences to protect 336,000 properties over the next five years.'

Despite weather warnings for rain across most of the UK expiring earlier this afternoon, yellow alerts for snow and ice remain in some places.

It came as:

Houses have partially collapsed today one day after a nearby sink hole swallowed a car in Abbey Hey, Greater Manchester

Ironbridge under siege AGAIN: Shropshire town faces severe flooding for second year in a row

Businesses in Ironbridge - which has nearly succumbed to River Severn over the last two years - are braced for flooding again over the next week.

Water levels are extremely high again in the picturesque Shropshire town as well as across the county and are predicted to increase over the next few days. It has already surged above the 3.40m (11.2ft) level at Buildwas this morning, meaning flooding is on the way.

Flood barriers installed on the River Severn near Ironbridge

Down the road in Shrewsbury it is predicted to keep rising over the next three days - affecting homes and agricultural land - and will peak just short of the 5m (16.4ft) record. But the deluge is set to remain at about 4.3m (14.1ft) for a few days until the weather gives in.

Donna Byard, who runs Ironbridge Vintage Corner, said it is looking like a repeat of last year. She said: 'Looking like a repeat of last year just hope not as bad. Very few have had chance to spend flood grant due to delays with Covid so not better off than last year.'

Nigel Byard, who runs Ironbridge Antiques Arts and Craft Centre, said: 'That moment when you're looking at the potential flood risk knowing that anything over 6m on the Buildwas gauge reading we're f***ed again.'

He later added: 'Just been to install the flood barrier but this is looking a bit better, its now saying to peak at 5.8m and not 6m. Keeping it open as last time it changed last minute and shot up to way over what they originally said.

'This is not what we wanted again but hopefully if it stays like this then to should be half way up the ramp at the bottom doors and not on the shop floor, but last time it changed last minute so just on standby watching and waiting.'

Last year the country watched in horror as water levels crept up and nearly overcame the temporary barriers installed in Ironbridge. This year the Environment Agency re-erected the defences along the main road with more than 500 yards of temporary barriers are going up at about 1.8m (6ft) high.

Conservative MP for Telford Lucy Allan said: 'Take care everybody - we have been working on flood resilience measures in Ironbridge since last year's floods.'

The Wrexham plant has been tasked with making 300million doses of the vaccine per year but its location is close to the River Dee which was at its highest recorded level since the water gauge became operational in 1996.

Council leader Mark Pritchard said resources such as gullies had been put in place to protect Wockhardt's vaccine storage facility. 'I'm sure you are aware that the Oxford vaccine is manufactured there and we had to work with the company logistically with their storage facility, that was under possibility of flooding,' he told Sky News.

'So we worked through the night with that and that was a success. This could have had an impact not just in Wrexham, Wales, but across the whole country with the vaccination supplies.'

He added: 'They were under pressure, they had serious concerns that their warehouse logistically could be flooded. They asked us for help and support and without hesitation, we gave them that support.'

All 'necessary precautions' were taken to prevent disruption to the manufacture of the jab, according to a spokesman for Wockhardt UK.

'Last night at approximately 4pm, Wockhardt UK experienced mild flooding, resulting in excess water surrounding part of the buildings across site,' she said.

'All necessary precautions were taken, meaning no disruption to manufacturing or inlet of water into buildings. The site is now secure and free from any further flood damage and operating as normal.'

The fill-and-finish stage of the vaccine's production is undertaken at the facility, which was visited by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in November. The company said it has had a presence in Wrexham for over two decades and employs more than 400 people at its facility.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: 'Very serious flooding situation across Wrexham and Flintshire overnight. The Vaccine Taskforce here in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy have been in touch with Wockhardt UK this morning and have been assured that staff are safe and that there will be no disruption to the supply of vaccines.'

Three yellow weather warnings have been issued by the Met Office, including an ice warning in place until 10am on Friday covering western Scotland, North West England, Northern Ireland and much of Wales.

Met Office chief meteorologist Paul Gundersen said: 'Colder air is now established across the UK as Storm Christoph moves away into the North Sea, and gale-force winds will impact the North East of the country.'

The flooding risk comes amid uncertainty over the speed of Britain's vaccine rollout, with ministers blaming 'supply constraints' for a three-day blip that raised fears the NHS drive had stalled. But official data yesterday sparked hopes it was still on track, as more than 346,000 jabs were given on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson - who today took off in a helicopter in London to view the flooding chaos - insisted the UK was still on schedule to inoculate 14million vulnerable people by mid-February.

In order to meet the lockdown-easing target, the Government must average more than 350,000 doses a day from now until February 15, with the previous bullish tone from officials getting toned down in recent days.

Pfizer's supplies have been dented by a factory upgrade which will continue into next month. Sources also cite factors such as 'intermittent' deliveries and trouble contacting the remaining over-80s and covering care homes.

MPs have also voiced concern at the way supplies have been divvied out. In London - which has given the fewest jabs - the allocation is said to have been based on take-up of last season's flu vaccine, which was relatively low.

Speaking in Didsbury today, Mr Johnson said: 'We're very worried obviously about the risk of flooding every year, and I've just come to Didsbury in the Greater Manchester area to thank the Environment Agency for what they're doing to prepare but also to help people.

'As you know, overnight, quite a few people, hundreds of people got notice to leave their homes because of the risk of flooding from the Mersey.

'And what I'm seeing here is the amazing preparations that the Environment Agency makes, the way they're able to use sluice gates, the way they're able to use improvised emergency flood defences to protect homes.

Flooding caused damage to the inside of the Swan with Two Nicks pub near Dunham Massey, pictured left and right, during Storm Christoph today

A damaged builders yard at the Quay area of Carmathen today which was flooded due to the River Towy bursting its banks

Residents look at the River Mersey in Didsbury, Greater Manchester, this morning as the area suffers from flooding

A windsurfer in Whittlesey makes the most of the flooded fields caused by Storm Christoph earlier this afternoon

A Royal Mail van makes its way past abandoned cars in floodwater in Lymm, Cheshire, this morning

Ken Emerson, 76, clears a snow drift at a property in Lanehead, County Durham, this morning

Workmen clear snow around a plough which had become stuck in a snow drift in Lamancha, Scotland, this afternoon

The historic Llanerch Bridge between Trefnant and Tremeirchion in Wales which has collapsed due to the floodwaters of Storm Christoph

The Quay area of Carmathen today which was flooded due to the River Towy bursting its banks after all the rainfall from Storm Christoph

The sinkhole which the houses in Abbey Hey, Greater Manchester, fell into today had opened yesterday evening

Houses have now partially collapsed after a car fell into the giant sinkhole in Abbey Hey yesterday

Houses have partially collapsed today after a sink hole which swallowed a car in Abbey Hey, Greater Manchester, yesterday

A number of houses on Walmer Street in Abbey Hey, Greater Manchester, have fallen into a giant sinkhole this afternoon

Nearly 50 vulnerable OAPs evacuated by boat

An urgent rescue operation was underway today to evacuate nearly 50 vulnerable elderly people by boat after their retirement village was flooded under five feet of water.

Dozens of care home residents are rescued from Weaver Court Care Home in Northwich, Cheshire, this afternoon

Emergency services have rushed to Weaver Court in Northwich, Cheshire, after it was left without any electricity or heating due to heavy flooding this morning. The vulnerable residents, some suffering from dementia, have been trapped after their homes were submerged in more than 5ft (1.5m) of water.

Storm Christoph has battered Northwich with heavy rain and snow - with the town waking up to mass flooding throughout its streets and buildings. Cheshire Fire and Rescue and Cheshire West and Cheshire Council have spearheaded a rescue mission to save the vulnerable residents at the home who have been left stranded.

Multiple fire engines rushed to the scene earlier today and a rescue boat has been deployed to safely evacuate the pensioners. Around 50 residents and staff are believed to be stuck in the building. Lesley Davenport, whose 87-year-old grandma and 94-year-old granddad live at Weaver Court, said they were all 'het up' as they wait for their loved ones to be rescued.

She said: 'They are going to be really cold - that is the main concern. There was a lady wading through the water, waist deep, just to get to the building. We are all het up - nothing seems to be getting done. I've been out here for a hour and a half and they just seem to be having meeting after meeting. The houseboats were evacuated yesterday and that's when they should have evacuated Weaver Court.'

Joan Ferrario has been desperately trying to find out if her mother Pam is alright, but was unable to get through on the phone. She said: 'They've no electricity, they've no telephones, whether they are going to evacuate them or not I don't know at the moment. I'm trying to get information from her care people. I'm absolutely furious. It should not be happening, this. The flood defences are holding, but there is so much surface water, the drains can't take it. I doubt I'll get in to see her but I just want to know she is safe. We've just got no way of getting in touch with them. There is a manager there so I'm sure she is looking after them all.'

A spokesman at First Port, the development's management company, said: 'The safety of our residents is our utmost priority. As the development currently has no electricity, we are working with the council to safely evacuate residents to a nearby hotel today. We will do all we can to support our residents, and to get the development habitable as quickly as possible.'

The council said hotel rooms have been secured for the residents as soon as they are evacuated. A council spokesman said: 'The safety and wellbeing of residents in Northwich is our number one priority. This is a challenging time for members of the community and we are doing all we can to help. We are working closely with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, Cheshire Police and the Environment Agency. Plans are in place to evacuate residents from Weaver Court and Marbury Court and we are supporting the emergency services with this. The council has secured hotel accomodation for the residents and they will be taken from the homes in a safe and socially-distanced manner. We are supporting the residents with their needs while they await evacuation. We would ask residents of the borough not to travel unless necessary and particularly to avoid travelling into Northwich Town Centre.'

Neighbourhood policing inspector for Northwich Jason Murray added: 'A decision was made earlier this morning with ourselves and our emergency service partners that it was necessary to evacuate the residents of Weaver Court for their own safety and principally because the electricity to the premises has had to be isolated because of rising water levels.' People were taken to a leisure centre before being moved on to alternative accommodation, Inspector Murray said.

'There will be more to come, there will be further rain next week, so it's vital that people who are in potentially affected areas follow the advice and get the Environment Agency flood alerts where they can - you can get an app that will let you know what's going on.

'But really I just wanted to thank the Environment Agency, the emergency services, the police, for everything they're doing.'

Mr Johnson also suggested that a major tree-planting programme could help protect against flooding in the long term.

On the visit to Didsbury, he said: 'One idea that everybody in the Environment Agency talks about, and I believe in absolutely passionately, is planting trees on the higher ground to help absorb some of that rainfall, to help mitigate the effects of flooding.

'This Government has a very ambitious tree-planting programme, but, in my view, we're not going fast enough.

'As the spring comes and we come out of the pandemic, we're going to want to see a lot done to build in long-term resilience against flooding and against climate change, and planting trees is a big part of that.'

Mr Johnson also defended the Government's record on funding flood defences.

'A huge amount has been done here in Greater Manchester, another £60 million has been put in to protecting the Greater Manchester area,' he said.

'You can see the defences that we have in place to protect people's homes and people's lives.

'But, be in no doubt, everybody who visits a flood area, anybody who has been through a flood knows the huge psychological, emotional and financial cost of flooding to people.'

A further £20million will be invested for the Greater Manchester area as part of a £5.2billion programme of flood defences over the next six years, he said.

But Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said there had been a repeated pattern of floods followed by an 'inadequate response'.

He told reporters in London: 'We need to have a long-lasting solution to this, not promises that then aren't fulfilled.'

Craig Woolhouse, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said today: 'Exceptionally high river levels brought on by last night's rain could continue to affect parts of the northwest of England today and may also bring flooding to parts of Yorkshire today and Friday, with a risk of damage to buildings in some communities.

'There's also a chance of localised flooding of land and roads across parts of the South of England on Saturday due to further rain.

'We urge people to keep away from swollen rivers and not to drive through flood water – it is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car.

'People should check their flood risk, sign up for free flood warnings and keep up to date with the latest situation at via Gov.uk or follow @EnvAgency on Twitter for the latest flood updates.'

And Met Office chief meteorologist Paul Gundersen, said: 'Colder air is now established across the UK as Storm Christoph moves away into the North Sea, and gale force winds will impact the northeast of the country.

'There are three national severe weather warnings in place, two in north and east Scotland, one for rain and one for snow valid until noon on Friday, and an ice warning cover western Scotland, north west England, Northern Ireland and much of Wales, valid until 10am Friday.'

In Farndon, Cheshire, where a severe flood warning has been issued, many locals walked to the bridge over the River Dee to see the rising water levels.

John Whittingham, 85, said: 'I've lived in this village all my life and I've never seen it this bad. I think the last time I saw the water over the road like this must have been 60 years ago.'

Gillian Sulley, 54, who had walked to the river from the neighbouring village of Holt with husband Chris and dog Lottie, said: 'We've had a lot of rain and then quite heavy snowfall at about 9pm yesterday, which we weren't expecting. The snow has all melted now and that flows into the Dee higher up.'

Residents of a care home are evacuated after the River Weaver bursts its banks in Northwich, Cheshire, this afternoon

Homeowner watches floodwater gush into her property through door

A woman has described watching her home flood as Storm Christoph brought heavy rain and snow.

Gabrielle Burns-Smith, 44, said by 12.30pm yesterday she and partner James Dainty, 38, were concerned about water outside their home on Warrington Lane in Lymm, Cheshire.

Gabrielle Burns-Smith's home in Cheshire flooded last night

The couple cleared grates and drains to move some of the water but levels continued to rise, Ms Burns-Smith said.

She said: 'By 3pm yesterday the water outside was shin deep and by 4pm it was knee deep and we were seriously worrying that the house was going to be breached. Then it was. We're still in the house, we can't go anywhere because we can't get the car out, the water is just too deep. Both living rooms are flooded.

'At 1am I sat and just watched the water coming through the back door. It started to snow and the guys from the council delivered sandbags to us in the snow.'

Ms Burns-Smith said she, Mr Dainty and their dog Tag were staying in the upstairs of the property.

She added: 'We've moved everything we can upstairs. Some of the furniture we haven't been able to bring upstairs so that's just gone. We've got a freezer full of food but it's not switched on. All the plug sockets downstairs are under water so we've switched everything off down there.'

Ms Burns-Smith outside her flooded home in Lymm today

All four houses on the lane had been affected by the flooding, Ms Burns-Smith said. She said they were waiting for the water to subside, but did not know how long that would take.

She added: 'We are surrounded by fields full of water and there are hills at the back of us so we're just waiting for all the water to come down from them. We managed to get a couple of hours sleep but you almost don't want to go to sleep because you don't know what you'll wake up to.

'We've lived here two and a half years and as we moved in there were new grates and drains put in so we've never been flooded here before. Our neighbours who have been here years say they have never seen it like this, with this amount of water down the lane.'

Areas suffered heavy rain overnight, with one resident of Haslemere in Surrey telling MailOnline of the scene at about 10pm last night. He said: 'It was Biblical. The rain was coming down sideways like in a bad American movie.

'I saw some poor chap walking his dog and he was absolutely drenched, he looked like he had just given up and accepted it. It was honestly like someone had switched on the shower. I've never seen anything like it.'

Looking ahead, the Met Office issued a swathe of weather warnings across Britain for today which run up until midday tomorrow - with Scotland facing more snow and rain, and northern England facing the threat of ice.

Boris Johnson yesterday summoned a Cobra meeting to co-ordinate the national response to Storm Christoph, and Downing Street insisted Covid-secure facilities will be available for anyone forced to leave their homes.

Cheshire Police said 33 residents of houseboats in Northwich had been evacuated due to the level of the River Weaver.

Up to twice the normal January rainfall is expected in places – with the worst-affected areas predicted to have seen up to 200mm (8ins) over nearly three days.

Grahame Madge, of the Met Office, said: 'We are expecting significant totals of rainfall and when you combine that with snowmelt it can lead to localised flooding across the affected regions.'

Councils were left scrambling to evacuate people and shore up flood defences, made all the trickier by the need to keep confirmed cases of Covid-19 away from other people fleeing their homes.

There was also an evacuation of homes at Ruthin in North Wales and Maghull in Merseyside.

Manchester City Council set up a Covid-safe emergency rest centre at Wythenshawe Forum for those displaced.

Others were allowed to stay with friends and families, with the council ensuring them no legal action will be taken if they need to stay somewhere else due to the flood risk.

Didsbury resident Trish Loder said she and her husband had gone to their daughter's house nearby at about 10pm last night after being warned there was a risk of flooding.

The 68-year-old said: 'We had a couple of occasions where police came and the Environment Agency contacted us to say there is a risk to life. It was very dramatic. We've lived here for 40 years and I've never seen it this bad.

'We didn't particularly want to leave but our house is close to the river and we kept going down to check the levels. I haven't slept a wink but the Neighbourhood Watch group and local councillor kept us updated.

'We knew by about 5am it seemed better. It's a big relief and hopefully we've seen the worst of it now.'

Nelson Vasconcelos said he was warned of a flooding risk at his home in Didsbury last night.

The 37-year-old said: 'We didn't leave because we have two small children, aged two and six, and I have no family nearby because I'm originally from Brazil. We spent all night moving things to the second floor and trying to keep the kids safe.

'We had bags packed in case we had to leave and the police told us to be ready at any moment.'

Gabrielle Burns-Smith, 44, said her home in Lymm, Cheshire, had flooded yesterday evening. She said: 'By 3pm yesterday the water outside was shin deep and by 4pm it was knee deep, and we were seriously worrying that the house was going to be breached.

'Then it was. We're still in the house, we can't go anywhere because we can't get the car out, the water is just too deep. Both our living rooms are flooded. At 1am I sat and just watched the water coming through the back door. We've moved everything we can upstairs. Some of the furniture we haven't been able to bring upstairs, so that's just gone.'

Ms Burns-Smith said all of the four houses on Warrington Lane in Lymm had been affected by flooding. She said: 'We are surrounded by fields full of water and there are hills at the back of us, so we're just waiting for all the water to come down from them.

A woman places sandbags outside a shop during a flood after the River Weaver burst banks in Northwich, Cheshire, today

Flood water fills the landscape of the Towy Valley in Carmarthenshire, South Wales, this afternoon

The centre of Northwich in Cheshire is under several inches of water after heavy rain in the area this afternoon

Dane Bridge in Northwich, Cheshire, is overwhelmed by floodwater this afternoon

The historic Llanerch Bridge between Trefnant and Tremeirchion which has collapsed due to the floodwater today

Flood waters in the Didsbury area of Manchester today, as Storm Christoph causes widespread flooding across the UK

The Llanerch Bridge between Trefnant and Tremeirchion has collapsed due to the floodwaters of Storm Christoph today

Flooding near Kellaways in Wiltshire after the River Avon bursts its banks as Storm Christoph continues to batter the UK today

The Llanerch Bridge between Trefnant and Tremeirchion which has collapsed due to floodwaters of Storm Christoph today

Flood waters in the Didsbury area of Manchester today, as Storm Christoph causes widespread flooding across the UK

A winter wonderland scene this afternoon in Castleside, County Durham, today with snow covered fields and farm houses

People are rescued from a house in Hereford this afternoon after the River Wye burst its banks

Snow on fields and farmhouses this afternoon in Castleside, County Durham, following overnight flurries

Consultation on changes to funding allocation for flood and coastal defence

Environment Secretary George Eustice revealed today the Government will launch a consultation on changes to the way funding is allocated for flood and coastal defences.

Conservative Andrew Percy (Brigg and Goole) said: 'Can the Secretary of State comment on the adequacy of the flood defence funding rules for communities such as mine which are repeatedly now facing flooding issues or flood alerts and warnings?'

Mr Eustice replied: 'I can tell him that we will shortly be issuing a consultation on some changes to the flooding formula and one of the things we want to better reflect is frequently flooded communities so that greater weight is placed on that.'

Mr Eustice said the Government is preparing for further impacts from unsettled weather.

He told the Commons: 'Over the past 48 hours, Storm Christoph has led to very high rainfall leading to hundreds of flood warnings in areas, particular the North-West and Yorkshire, and including Mr Speaker (Sir Lindsay Hoyle) in Chorley, I believe in your own constituency.

'Four severe flood warnings have been issued, two in the Didsbury area of Manchester and two in the Maghull area of Liverpool. Overnight, 200 homes in Maghull were advised to evacuate and over 2,000 homes in Didsbury were also advised to evacuate.

'Water levels in the Didsbury flood base have now started to recede, however water will continue to work through the river systems in the North-West and Yorkshire in the coming days.

'More unsettled weather is also expected next week, so we continue to prepare for further impacts.'

'We've lived here two-and-a-half years and as we moved in there were new grates and drains put in, so we've never been flooded here before.

'Our neighbours who have been here for years say they have never seen it like this, with this amount of water down the lane.'

Lee Rawlinson, from the Environment Agency, was in Didsbury today.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the river level was 'shocking,' adding: 'What I'm really pleased with is the actions of the Environment Agency meant we managed to take the peak off the river so that it didn't top its banks and flood those properties but we were very, very close.

'We were within centimetres and we're not out of the woods yet. The difficulty is that it's still raining up in the uplands, it may not be raining here in Cheshire and Manchester as heavily now, but the uplands are still getting some of that rainfall and the water has to come down through the rivers we're being vigilant for the next couple of days.

'We have our staff out for days before these events and for long days afterwards to try and ensure the rivers and the water can flow as freely and quickly to get away so we can get people back into their homes as quickly as possible. We've protected hundreds of properties through this event here.'

Mr Rawlinson also said that flood basins put in place on the River Mersey in Didsbury had 'served their purpose' overnight and kept properties in the area dry.

'At Didsbury, the River Mersey got to very high levels very quickly, the water was pouring through there,' he told BBC Breakfast. 'What we did as an organisation, we have a couple of flood basins that we employed there, that they took the water away. It took the peak of the water off.

'The top of the river came within centimetres of the top of the river bank but our defences there have served their purpose and kept those properties dry. But it was very close.'

Mr Johnson urged people to heed the flood warnings and evacuate their properties when told to do so.

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 the 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.'

Prime Minister Boris Johnson talks with police officers during a visit to a storm basin near the River Mersey in Didsbury today

Homes surrounded by flood water in Little Bolligton in Cheshire this morning after the River Bollin burst its banks

Land next to the River Mersey in Didsbury, Greater Manchester, is flooded this morning after Storm Christoph hit the area

Gabrielle Burns-Smith and her dog Tag in their flooded home on the outskirts of Lymm in Cheshire this morning

A council worker in Didsbury, Manchester, checks a bridge over the River Mersey today for damage after heavy rainfall

Gabrielle Burns-Smith and her dog Tag outside their flooded home on the outskirts of Lymm in Cheshire this morning

Land next to the River Mersey in Didsbury is flooded today after heavy rain hit the Greater Manchester area in recent days

Gabrielle Burns-Smith looks out from her flooded home on the outskirts of Lymm in Cheshire this morning

Didsbury Golf Club sits in the middle of flood water next to the River Mersey in Greater Manchester this morning

80 people evacuated due to South Wales flooding

Around 80 people were forced out of their homes in Skewen, near Neath, with a major incident declared after eight streets needed to be evacuated.

Emergency services say there have been no injuries and everybody asked to leave has been found accommodation, but people have been asked to avoid the area for the time being.

A video posted on social media earlier on Thursday appeared to show fast-moving water passing people's homes in Goshen Park.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Roger Thomas, of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: 'First and foremost, our thoughts are with those who have been affected by the events of today.

'This incident involved a large multi-agency response to what was a dynamic and fast-moving incident, with incredible efforts by everyone involved to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the affected community.

'Our crews will remain available throughout the night to support our partners in bringing this incident to a safe conclusion.'

Neath and Port Talbot council said a local rest centre was available, and measures had been put in place to protect against Covid-19.

Chief executive Karen Jones added: 'Council officers have been on site since around midday and there will be a continued council presence in the area throughout the night.

'Our main focus at present is on continuing to support residents who had to leave their homes and ensuring others have a safe place to go if further evacuations are necessary.'

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 to head to Ysgol Sant Dunawd for shelter after the severe flood warning was issued for the area.

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

Around 80 people were then forced out of their homes in Skewen, near Neath, with a major incident declared after eight streets needed to be evacuated.

Emergency services say there have been no injuries and everybody asked to leave has been found accommodation, but people have been asked to avoid the area for the time being.

A video posted on social media earlier on Thursday appeared to show fast-moving water passing people's homes in Goshen Park.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Roger Thomas, of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: 'First and foremost, our thoughts are with those who have been affected by the events of today.

'Our crews will remain available throughout the night to support our partners in bringing this incident to a safe conclusion.'

Neath and Port Talbot council said a local rest centre was available, and measures had been put in place to protect against Covid-19.

Chief executive Karen Jones added: 'Council officers have been on site since around midday and there will be a continued council presence in the area throughout the night.

'Our main focus at present is on continuing to support residents who had to leave their homes and ensuring others have a safe place to go if further evacuations are necessary.'

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

An abandoned car outside Weaver Court Care Home in Northwich, Cheshire, where a rescue operation is underway today

Bins and kegs are seen on a flooded street, after the River Weaver burst banks in Northwich, Cheshire, this morning

Crews from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service use temporary flood barriers to protect properties at Kirby Wharf today

A flooded street in front of businesses is seen, after the River Weaver burst banks in Northwich, Cheshire, today

People walk near floods after the River Weaver burst banks in Northwich, Cheshire, this morning

Vehicles pass through a flooded Hazel Brook in Bristol this morning following heavy rain brought by Storm Christoph

Cars pass through a flooded Hazel Brook in Bristol this morning following severe weather over the past few days

A vehicles tries to make its way through flooding in Middlesbrough this morning as Storm Christoph causes chaos

Storm Christoph causes major flooding in Middlesbrough this morning as motorists leave their cars

Flooding near Lacock as the River Avon bursts its banks as Storm Christoph continues to batter most of the UK today

Environment agency workers installing flood defences along the River Severn at Bewdley in Worcestershire today

Environment agency workers install flood defences along the River Severn at Bewdley in Worcestershire this morning

Flooding near Lacock as the River Avon bursts its banks as Storm Christoph continues to batter most of the UK today

Environment agency workers installing flood defences along the River Severn at Bewdley in Worcestershire this morning

Flooding near Lacock as the River Avon bursts its banks as Storm Christoph continues to batter most of the UK today

Flood water is pumped from river side properties as the River Ouse in York floods this morning

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.